SAD Opposes Waqf Amendment Bill, Calls for Consensus with Muslim Community

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has passed a resolution opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill during a Parliamentary Board meeting on Tuesday. SAD leader Daljit S Cheema reaffirmed the party’s position to support Muslims, emphasizing that minorities are an integral part of India. He stressed that no law should be passed without the community’s consensus.

Cheema criticized the proposed amendments, particularly the idea of nominating non-Muslims to the Waqf Board, likening it to the government’s previous actions with the Hazur Sahib Board for Sikhs. He claimed that such changes could undermine the integrity and autonomy of religious boards, stating, “Before too, the Hazur Sahib board for Sikhs was taken over after increasing nominations. Now, similar things are happening with the Muslim community.” He further demanded that the government stop such practices immediately.

The Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib Board, which manages the day-to-day functioning of Takhat Sahib and the surrounding gurdwaras, was used by Cheema to draw a comparison to the proposed changes to the Waqf Board. He urged that no law should be passed without first consulting the community it affects, particularly when it involves nominating non-Muslims or giving powers to officials.

Cheema also condemned the recent vandalism of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s statue in Jalandhar’s Phillaur area, calling it a “conspiracy” aimed at creating disharmony between communities in Punjab. He termed the incident, which also included derogatory remarks made about Ambedkar in a video, a cowardly act meant to disturb the social fabric of the state.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is set to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Various political parties, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress, have issued a whip to their MPs to ensure their presence during the debate. The bill, which will be introduced in the Lok Sabha after the Question Hour, will be followed by an 8-hour discussion, with the possibility of an extension.

SAD’s resolution and statements come ahead of the bill’s presentation, highlighting concerns about minority representation and the potential impact of the proposed amendments.