CPI (M) condemns Waqf Amendment Act

Madurai, Apr 6: The 24th Congress of the CPI (M) that was in session in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, from April 2 to 6, adopted a resolution strongly condemning the passage of the ‘Waqf Amendment Bill’ in Parliament, calling it an “assault on the constitution and the rights of minorities.”

In a resolution adopted during the 24th Congress, the CPI (M) accused the BJP-led government of using the amendment to further a divisive agenda and erode the secular foundations of the country.

“The CPI (M) calls upon all secular people and organisations of the country to protest against this act which will only increase communal polarization and damage the secular fabric of the nation,” the party said.

The resolution “Withdraw the Divisive and Unjust ‘Waqf Amendment Act’ Immediately” elaborated that the original Waqf Act had provided a legal framework for the management and protection of Islamic endowments for religious and charitable purposes.

However, the party said that the amendments aim to undermine these foundational principles.

It criticised the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards despite Islamic prohibitions against it and objected to the provision requiring Muslims to prove five years of adherence to Islam to manage Waqf properties.

“This provision opens the door to harassment and exclusion, and even discourages contributions from non-Muslims towards religious structures like Masjids,” the CPI (M) said.

The resolution pointed out that the abolition of Section 40 of the act would strip Waqf Boards of the power to determine the nature of Waqf properties, making oral and usage-based Waqfs vulnerable to government takeover.

It warned that states with large Waqf assets – such as Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala - would be disproportionately affected.

The transfer of authority from Survey Commissioners to government-appointed revenue officials was also termed as a move aimed at seizing key community assets like Masjids, schools, hospitals, and vocational centres.

The CPI (M) alleged that stripping the Waqf Tribunal of its powers would disconnect Waqf Boards from the communities they are meant to serve.

“The amended law is part of the central government’s broader effort to undermine the rights of Muslims and should be seen in the context of similarly discriminatory legislations like the CAA,” it said.

Calling upon citizens committed to secularism and democracy to unite, the CPI (M) urged the immediate withdrawal of the “divisive and unjust” Waqf Amendment Act.