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Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday supported the appeal of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) to political parties to support the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating that the bill was in the national interest, and in the interest of Muslims.
Taking to social media X, the Union Minister stated that the Waqf Amendment Bill was in the national interest and the interest of the Muslims. "Waqf Amendment Bill is in the national interest in the interest of Muslims. This will bring transparency in the management of Waqf properties! Those who have illegally occupied the Waqf land are today opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill and misleading the people. The Catholic Bishops Council of India's appeal to all political parties to support the #Waqf Amendment Bill gives strength to this bill. This bill will remove anomalies like the ongoing dispute in Munambam, Kerala," the post read. Puri further appealed to the people to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. "Come, let us all together strengthen PM@narendramodiji's mantra of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas', the post further said. The CBCI urged political parties and legislators to adopt an unbiased and constructive approach to land issues, including Munambam in Kerala. The CBCI has said that certain provisions in the existing Central Waqf Act are inconsistent with the Constitution and the Waqf Board in Kerala has invoked these provisions to declare the ancestral residential properties of more than 600 families in the Munambam region as Waqf land. In a statement released on Monday, the CBCI said that over the past three years, this issue has escalated into a complex legal dispute. It added that only a legal amendment can provide a permanent solution, and this must be recognized by the people's representatives. It further added that Waqf Amendment Bill should provide a permanent solution to land issues including Munambam in Kerala. It said, any provisions or laws that contradict the principles of the Indian Constitution must be amended and at the same time, the rights of religious minorities, as guaranteed by the Constitution, must be safeguarded. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in a post on X sharing the letter by CBCI said, "Catholic Bishops Council of India appeals Political Parties to support the Waqf Amendment Bill. It is the duty of those in politics to care for and address problems and challenges faced by our people. For example hundreds of families in Munambam, Kerala and countless people across India have suffered and continue to seek a solution to protect their properties and homes." (ANI)
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