The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Thursday (March 27, 2025) unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to withdraw the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, arguing that it was against the interests of Muslims in the country. The resolution was supported by all political parties, including the AIADMK, while the BJP, which opposed it, staged a walkout before the voting.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who moved the resolution, stated that the Constitution granted religious groups the right to practice their faith, and that it was the duty of a democratically elected government to safeguard these rights. He criticized the proposed amendments, asserting that they would severely impact the Muslim minority and called for the complete withdrawal of the Bill.
BJP member Vanathi Srinivasan defended the Centre’s move, claiming that the amendments were aimed at addressing irregularities in the management of Waqf properties and ensuring better representation for women and the backward sections of the Muslim community. However, Law Minister S. Regupathy countered, alleging that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) had ignored the views of certain members, labeling the Bill as an “economic assault on the Muslim community.”
DMK members A. Raja and M.M. Abdullah, who were part of the JPC, were reportedly not given an opportunity to fully express their views on the proposed changes.
AIADMK leader S.P. Velumany backed the resolution, while PMK leader G.K. Mani suggested that the Bill should only proceed if the Centre could build a consensus among stakeholders.
Despite the BJP’s opposition, the resolution was passed with unanimous support from the rest of the Assembly.
