CPM MP John Brittas criticises Waqf Amendment bill for "creating polarisation"; party to oppose bill

"Each political party will be adopting a suitable method of protest against the Waqf bill, my party has decided that we will oppose this bill because the only intention of the BJP government is to create polarisation," Brittas told ANI at parliament premises.

Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to "create a wedge" between communities, he added, "Most of the legislations they have brought in with regard to certain communities have been to drive a wedge between one community and other community. They are at liberty to exert for any protest, and I am sure that my party and other opposition parties will be taking a firm position on such calls."

The CPM leader's comments come amidst the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) call for a protest against the Waqf Bill, appealing to Muslims across the country to wear black armbands on Alvida Juma, the last Friday of Ramzan, in protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.

Sharing a letter on X, AIMPLB stated, "The strong protests by Muslims at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and Dharna Sthal in Patna have at least caused a stir among BJP's allied parties. Now, a massive protest is also scheduled to take place in Vijayawada on March 29, 2025."

The AIMPLB had expressed its concerns over the bill, describing it as a "sinister conspiracy" that aims to deprive Muslims of their religious and charitable institutions.

"The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is a sinister conspiracy aimed at depriving Muslims of their Mosques, Eidgahs, Madrasas, Dargahs, Khanqahs, Graveyards, and charitable institutions. If this bill is passed, hundreds of Mosques, Eidgahs, Madrasas, Graveyards, and numerous charitable institutions will be taken away from us," the letter read.

Meanwhile, state governments, including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have passed a resolution against the bill.

In Tamil Nadu, the resolution brought by Chief Minister M K Stalin was supported by M Jagan Moorthy MLA, President of the Puratchi Bharatham party (AIADMK Alliance), Velmurugan MLA, President, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (DMK Alliance), Nagai Maali MLA, CPIM (DMK Alliance), Sinthanai selvan MLA, VCK (DMK Alliance), MH Jawahirullah MLA, President, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (DMK Alliance), E R Eswaran MLA, General Secretary, Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi (DMK Alliance).

Also today, during the first general council meeting of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party passed a resolution against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The party passed a total of 17 resolutions, also against the three-language policy, proposed delimitation exercise. (ANI)