BNP urges India to reconsider Waqf Law

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Sunday called on Indian government to reconsider the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025, expressing concern that the legislation could disrupt regional communal harmony and infringe upon the religious rights of India's Muslim population.

Speaking at a press conference held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “India is a vast democratic nation. We sincerely hope that the Indian government will review this law, keeping in mind its constitutional duty to safeguard the religious rights of all communities.”

Salahuddin emphasized that such a move would “play a historic role in preserving communal peace across the region.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in India’s Lok Sabha on Wednesday by a vote of 288-232 and subsequently cleared in the Rajya Sabha with a vote of 128-95. It has since received assent from President Droupadi Murmu, officially making it law.

Referring to objections raised by groups such as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Salahuddin said the law is widely perceived as conflicting with the foundational principles of the Islamic Waqf system, which mandates that such trusts be managed solely by Muslims.

“These organisations view the law as a clear intrusion into the religious rights of Muslim citizens,” he added.

Salahuddin also expressed concern over provisions in the law that allow non-Muslim representation in Waqf Boards. “This not only violates constitutional rights but also risks undermining centuries-old religious and community institutions.”

He warned that the move could affect the management of nearly one million acres of Waqf property in India, which currently support mosques, madrasas, graveyards, and orphanages—key public welfare institutions for India’s Muslim community.

Describing the law as "unconstitutional and politically motivated," the BNP leader said it threatens the rights and traditions of approximately 200 million Muslims—about 14% of India’s population.

“Granting authority over Islamic endowments to non-Muslim individuals constitutes direct interference in religious affairs,” Salahuddin stated. “Such state-level decisions risk sowing division and disturbing long-standing communal harmony.”

BNP Chairperson's advisory council member Ismail Zabihullah and the party’s Law Affairs Secretary Barrister Kaiser Kamal were also present at the briefing.