New Delhi, 3 April 2025: The Lok Sabha witnessed a heated debate on Thursday over the Waqf Amendment Bill, when All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi launched a scathing attack on the central government. In protest against the bill, Owaisi not only called it against the Constitution, but also expressed his anger by tearing the bill papers in a dramatic manner. He termed it an attack on the religious rights of the Muslim community and said that it is a blatant violation of Articles 25 and 26.

Owaisi, MP from Hyderabad, quoted Gandhi while making his point in the House. “When a law was brought before Mahatma Gandhi which he did not accept, he had said that I will tear it. In the same way, I also do not accept this bill and am tearing it,” Owaisi said emphatically. After this, he tore two pages of the bill using a stapler, due to which there was silence in the House.

Bill passed, but controversy continues

After a long debate, the Waqf Amendment Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favor and 232 votes against. But Owaisi’s sharp opposition further heated up the issue. He alleged that the central government was conspiring to weaken the Waqf institutions. “Waqf is a religious institution. The government is targeting it by giving wrong information. This bill is an attack on the faith of India. You are snatching away the Waqf rights from Muslims,” ​​Owaisi said. Referring to Article 26 of the Constitution, he raised the question, “When Hindus, Buddhists and Jains have been given freedom to their religious institutions, then why is this right being snatched from Muslims?”

Owaisi also accused the government of adopting a double standard. “There is talk of protecting ancient temples in the country, but there is no guarantee of protection of ancient mosques. Why this injustice?” His statement created a flurry of support among the opposition MPs present in the House, although the ruling party rejected it.

Government’s response: ‘2013 law responsible’

Home Minister Amit Shah, while responding to Owaisi’s allegations, said that this amendment was necessary. “If the Waqf law had not been made in 2013, then we would not have needed to bring this bill. I want to ask Owaisi sahab that at that time big leaders like Rajnath Singh and LK Advani were in the House. You got that law passed. So were they wrong, or are you now?” This taunt of Shah further intensified the debate.

Shah also claimed that the amendment is aimed at bringing transparency in Waqf properties, and not attacking religious freedom. But Owaisi termed it as “abuse of power” and said that this bill is part of a conspiracy to weaken mosques and madrassas.

Analysis: Religious freedom or administrative reform?

The Waqf Amendment Bill has been in controversy for a long time. While the government says that it is to end the corruption and mismanagement prevailing in the Waqf Board, the opposition sees it as a move against the minority community. Political analyst Ramesh Tiwari says, “This bill is a battle between constitutional rights and administrative reform. Owaisi’s opposition is emotionally strong, but the government has the strength of the majority.” Owaisi’s dramatic performance in the House and his arguments may be making headlines, but the passage of the bill makes it clear that the government is firm on its path. Now the question is whether this controversy will be raised with the same zeal in the Rajya Sabha, or will this law be implemented quietly? The coming days will decide its direction.