Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 4 : Uttar Pradesh Minister Jaiveer Singh on Friday assured that the Waqf Amendment Bill serves the public interest, dismissing the Opposition's concerns as politically motivated fear-mongering. He said that within two days, people would realise that they were being misled and that the bill was ultimately for their benefit.
Speaking to ANI, Singh said, "It has become the Opposition's tendency to spread fear against the BJP so they can instigate Muslims to strengthen their vote bank. They did the same with CAA... Within two days, people will understand that they are being misled and this bill is for their benefit..."
His remarks come a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly criticised the Waqf board's functioning, alleging that it was attempting to "capture land" in Prayagraj.
Referring to the Maha Kumbh, Adityanath accused the board of making "arbitrary statements" regarding land ownership and questioned whether it had become a "Land Mafia board."
Responding to CM Yogi Adityanath's remarks, Singh said, 'Mafiaism will end soon,' highlighting the government's intent to differentiate between legally owned and encroached Waqf properties.
"As the Chief Minister said, after identifying and separating the illegally occupied locations from real properties, we will distribute part of the income of the real properties of Waqf among the poor... This Mafiaism will soon be ended..."
Meanwhile, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati registered her opposition to the recent passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, saying that the central government's attempt to clear the bill in "haste" was "inappropriate".She said that her party would support the Muslim community if the government "misused" the legislation.
Responding to her remark, Singh said, "This bill was passed by incorporating everyone's suggestions and proposed amendments, and removing all the shortcomings with prudence..."
Congress MP and party General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh on Friday announced that the party will soon challenge the "constitutionality" of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Supreme Court after it was passed in the Parliament in the early hours of Friday.
Singh also dismissed Congress MP Jairam Ramesh's remarks on the bill, asserting that the Congress party is merely attempting to consolidate its Muslim vote bank.
"The Congress has to make some moves to secure their Muslim vote bank... There is a competition ongoing between all these opposition parties as to who is opposing this bill the most," he said.
The Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed." The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, has also been passed in Parliament.