New Delhi: A large-scale Minority Intellectuals’ Conference was held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Center, where participants from various communities, including Muslim intellectuals, gathered to gain insights into the benefits of the amended Waqf Board Act. The event saw prominent leaders such as Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav, Delhi BJP President Shri Virendra Sachdeva, and other influential figures discussing the reforms and addressing the misinformation being spread by opposition parties.
Waqf Board – A Sacred Institution, Misused by Congress
In his address, Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav highlighted the role of the Waqf Board as a sacred institution in Islam, established for charitable purposes. He strongly criticized the Congress party for using the Muslim community merely as a vote bank and spreading confusion around the Waqf Board Act. “The Congress government misled the community and treated them poorly, leaving them in darkness. In contrast, the Modi government has passed the Waqf Board Amendment Law with a vision to improve the condition of the Muslim community,” said Yadav.
PM Modi’s Vision for Inclusive Development
Shri Yadav further stressed that PM Modi’s progressive policies have unified the nation, citing landmark reforms such as the abolition of Triple Talaq, GST, Article 370, and women’s reservation. “The Waqf Board needs to be digitalized like the rest of the world. The Modi government is working towards providing rightful entitlements for backward sections of the Muslim community through this amended law,” Yadav added. He criticized the Congress for opposing the law, even though the party had amended it several times during its tenure.
Restoring Rights of Poor and Marginalized Muslims
Delhi BJP President Shri Virendra Sachdeva spoke passionately about PM Modi’s efforts to eliminate social evils. He explained that a few individuals had illegally occupied Waqf properties, depriving the poor and widows of their rightful claims. The new Waqf Board Amendment Law aims to rectify this situation by restoring their rights. “These people do not want the underprivileged Muslims to be part of the mainstream, but PM Modi’s vision is for every Muslim to live proudly in society with dignity,” said Sachdeva.
Addressing Misconceptions and Clarifying the Law
Shri Atif Rashid, former Vice Chairman of the Minority Commission, took the stage to emphasize the contrast between the Modi government’s genuine efforts and the false promises made by previous governments. He applauded the passing of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill, stating, “This is a sincere effort to secure the rights of poor and backward Muslims.”
Shri Anees Abbasi, Delhi BJP Minority Morcha President, assured the gathering that no land belonging to any religious institution—whether it be a Dargah, Mosque, Church, or Eidgah—will be taken away under the new law. He emphasized that the BJP is actively working to reach out to Muslim neighborhoods to spread awareness about the law and combat the false information being circulated by opposition parties.
Strong Support for the Waqf Board Amendment
The event was also attended by other key figures, including Delhi BJP Minority Morcha In-Charge Qari Mohammad Haroon, Shri Vishnu Mittal, Mrs. Husn Ara Saleem (granddaughter of Maulana Azad), Shri Sheikh Saleem (nephew of Dr. Abdul Kalam), and Shri Firoz Bakht Ahmed, who all voiced their support for the amendment and lauded the Modi government for its inclusive approach.
The Minority Intellectuals’ Conference served as a platform to clear the air on misconceptions and highlight the positive impact of the Waqf Board Amendment Law for the Muslim community.