'PM Modi Fulfilling Wishes’: Amit Shah Recalls Lalu Yadav’s Old Remarks On Waqf Law
Lalu Yadav, whose RJD was the part of the then coalition government of UPA-II, had withdrawn and then extended support to the Waqf Amendment bill tabled by the Congress-led UPA-II government.
Waqf Bill In Lok Sabha: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday invoked Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav’s past statements over Waqf land and said that through this (Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025) legislation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fulfilling the wishes of RJD chief where he had demanded for stricter laws to prevent misuse of Waqf properties.
While participating in the debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Shah said, “When amendments to the Waqf were introduced in 2013, Lalu Yadav said he wanted a strict law and wanted to put those in jail who were stealing. PM Narendra Modi has fulfilled his wishes."
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Lalu Yadav, whose RJD was the part of the then coalition government of UPA-II, had withdrawn and then extended support to the Waqf Amendment bill tabled by the Congress-led UPA-II government.
Quoting Yadav’s 2013 statement in the Lok Sabha, Shah said, “We support the intent of the amendment bill that the government has introduced. (BJP leader) Shahnawaz Ji (Hussain) and other esteemed members have shared their views here, and I support them. All the land has been grabbed, whether government-owned or private. Those working within the Waqf board have sold off all the prime land. In Patna, apartments have been constructed on Dak Bungalow property. There has been a lot of loot like this. Such large-scale looting has taken place. We are bringing this amendment bill at the end, and we support it, but I want a stricter law in the future. Those who have committed these thefts should be put behind bars"
Lalu Yadav’s Old Video Resurfaces
Earlier today, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, a partner of NDA, posted an video of the RJD chief where he had voiced his concerns over alleged land encroachments linked to the Waqf Board.
In the clip, Lalu Yadav can be heard saying, “Look, there should be a very strict law. All the land has been grabbed—whether government land, private land, or that of workers. Prime land near Patna’s Dak Bungalow has been turned into apartments. Everyone has looted. Pass the amendment today, but future processes must be strict."
वक़्फ़ संशोधन विधेयक का विरोध कुछ लोग सिंर्फ इसलिए कर रहें हैं क्योंकि यह क़ानून नरेन्द्र मोदी @narendramodi जी के नेतृत्व वाली सरकार ला रही हैं।वैसे 2010 में @laluprasadrjd जी ने वक़्फ़ के कड़े क़ानून बनाए जाने की बात कही थी।मेरा INDI गठबंधन वालों से आग्रह है कि लालू जी के… pic.twitter.com/TVKFvQjSQk— Jitan Ram Manjhi (@jitanrmanjhi) April 2, 2025
Along with the video, Manjhi accused Yadav of hypocrisy, contrasting his stand on the matter with the RJD leader’s and his party’s opposition to the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha today.
Shah Slams Opposition
Shah also accused the Congress of “committing the sin" in 2013 by barring those whose land was taken for Waqf from seeking legal recourse.
“If land is being bought for a temple, the collector reviews the ownership of the land. So, what is the objection to the collector investigating whether Waqf land belongs to the government or not? Many temples, churches and gurdwaras have been built, but they cannot be constructed on government land," he said.
The Union Minister further said the Waqf council and board came into existence in 1995, and non-Muslims will have no role in running of religious affairs.
“The opposition is trying to spread misconceptions about the Bill. The Waqf bill is not going to interfere with Muslim religious practice…appeasement politics is going on, opposition is doing vote bank politics. You…will break the nation with your myths," he said, hitting out at the opposition.
What Is The Bill About
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, were introduced in the Lok Sabha last year with an aim to streamline the Waqf Board’s work and ensure the efficient management of Waqf properties.
The objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, is to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.
(With inputs from agencies)
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