Wed Apr 02 09:32:19 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Opposes Waqf Amendment Bill
**Chennai, April 2, 2025** – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, citing concerns that it undermines the rights of the Muslim community. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Stalin argued that the amendments, currently under discussion in the Lok Sabha, disregard the constitutional protection afforded to religious minorities and would harm the interests of Muslims.
The Chief Minister highlighted several problematic aspects of the bill. He stated that the proposed inclusion of non-Muslim members on State Waqf Boards infringes upon the community’s autonomy in managing its religious endowments. Furthermore, the removal of the “Waqf by user” provision threatens the status of numerous historical Waqf properties, and a stipulation requiring five years of Islamic practice for property donation would hinder non-Muslim contributions, impacting the country’s syncretic culture.
Mr. Stalin emphasized that the existing Waqf Act of 1995 is sufficient and that the proposed amendments are unnecessary. He noted that the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on March 27th urging the bill’s withdrawal. He concluded by requesting Prime Minister Modi’s personal intervention to protect the interests of Muslim minorities and preserve Waqf institutions.
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