India Hit Out At Pak On Waqf Remarks, Asks It To Focus on Its Own Record On Minorities

New Delhi: The government on Tuesday hit out at Pakistan for its criticism of the recently enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, asserting that the neighbouring country has no locus standi to comment on internal matters. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan should focus on its own dismal track record on minority rights instead of “preaching to others.”
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We strongly reject the motivated and baseless comments made by Pakistan on the Waqf Amendment Act enacted by the Parliament of India. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on a matter that is internal to India.” “Pakistan would do better to look at its own abysmal record when it comes to protecting the rights of minorities, instead of preaching to others,” Jaiswal added.
The sharp rebuttal came days after Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan condemned the changes in India’s Waqf laws, alleging that the legislation was an infringement on the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims. “The passage of this discriminatory legislation is also reflective of the growing majoritarianism in India. There are serious apprehensions that it will contribute to further marginalisation of Indian Muslims,” Khan was quoted as saying in national media reports in Delhi.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act seeks to streamline the management and administration of Waqf properties across the country. It modifies the Waqf Act of 1995, which governs properties donated for religious or charitable purposes by Muslims.
Initially tabled in Parliament in August last year, the bill faced strong protests from opposition parties and Muslim organisations. It was later referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Following months of deliberation, the amendment was reintroduced in the Budget session on April 2 and passed in the Lok Sabha in the early hours of April 3 after a 12-hour debate. The Rajya Sabha also cleared it the next day and President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Bill days later, paving way for the bill to become law. The government has defended the legislation as a step towards improving transparency and curbing corruption in the management of Waqf properties. However, critics argue that provisions allowing the inclusion of non-Muslims on Waqf boards and expanding government oversight could pave the way for misuse, including the potential takeover of historic mosques and other properties. The government, however, maintains that the changes will promote diversity and improve accountability in Waqf administration.