Andhra govt's stance on Waqf Amendment Bill is "hypocritical, misleading and anti-secular": YSRCP leader Vijaysai Reddy

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], September 28 (ANI): Rajya Sabha MP and YSRCP leader Vijaysai Reddy submitted the party's representation opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Saturday and criticised the Telugu Desam Party for its "double-standards" on the issue.
He said that the Andhra Pradesh government's stand on the issue is "hypocritical, misleading and anti-secular" while adding that Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu was part of the Union Cabinet that approved this bill.
"Submitted YSRCP representation to the Chairman of the JPC opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, and highlighting the @JaiTDP-led AP Govt's double standards," Reddy stated in a post on X.
The YSRCP leader further stated that 13 per cent population in Andhra Pradesh is Muslim but they are not getting fair representation in the state.
"With 13% of Andhra Pradesh's population being Muslim, their voices deserve fair representation--something TDP is failing to ensure and on the other hand, preventing opposition raising our voice in JPC," he added.

Submitted YSRCP representation to the Chairman of the JPC opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, and highlighting the @JaiTDP-led AP Govt’s double standards. With 13% of Andhra Pradesh’s population being Muslim, their voices deserve fair representation—something TDP is failing to… pic.twitter.com/xhqiueO4gH

— Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) September 28, 2024

"Sri Chandrababu Naidu's @JaiTDPand the AP Govt's stance on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the JPC is both hypocritical, misleading and anti secular. The fact is that Sri Ram Mohan Naidu@RamMNKwas part of the Union Cabinet that approved this bill & he is responsible for it under Art. 75 of the Constitution. His supportive stance of the Bill differs with that of his Party & AP Govt. do not match and contrary he should then resign to clear the dichotomy," the YSRCP leader said in a subsequent post.

Sri Chandrababu Naidu’s @JaiTDP and the AP Govt’s stance on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the JPC is both hypocritical, misleading and anti secular. The fact is that Sri Ram Mohan Naidu @RamMNK was part of the Union Cabinet that approved this bill & he is responsible for it under…

— Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) September 28, 2024

Earlier on Friday, the Joint Parliamentary Committee's Chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said that detailed discussions took place with stakeholders as part of its nationwide consultation exercise on the proposed legislation in Ahmedabad.
According to Pal, the meeting was attended by the Gujarat Home Minister, Gujarat's Waqf board officers, chairman, minority commission officials, and Islamic scholars.
"Detailed discussions took place regarding Waqf Amendment Bill, yesterday we were in Mumbai and today we are in Ahmedabad. Today, in Ahmedabad, a meeting of JPC members and state govt took place state Home minister, Gujarat's Waqf board officers, chairman, minority commission officials, Islamic scholars, all were part of the meet...we listened to their views and suggestions...our committee will ponder it," BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Aug 8 and was then referred to a JPC after a heated debate.
The JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is holding a series of informal discussions with various stakeholders till October 1.
These consultations aim to refine the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, which governs the management of over 600,000 registered waqf properties across the country.
The Waqf Act, 1995, was created to regulate waqf properties, but it has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. (ANI)