"Muslim community is their experimental laboratory": Samajwadi Party's ST Hasan on Waqf Bill

Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 4 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former MP ST Hasan on Friday fiercely criticised the passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament, branding it "unconstitutional" and warning of its potential rejection by the Supreme Court.
Hasan argued that that bill has destroyed the Muslim community's constitutional right to run their own religious institution, questioning if there are any Muslims in any temple trust.
"It is an unconstitutional bill. It is possible that the Supreme Court will reject it... The bill is destroying our constitutional right to run our religious institutions... Is there any Muslim in any temple trust?" he said.
He further alleged that for the ruling party, the muslim community was an "experimental laboratory" and that these were the ways to destroy the nation.
"The Muslim community is their experimental laboratory... These are ways to destroy the country. One day, it will be revealed who all were involved with foreign forces to weaken the country," Hasan said, hinting at a broader conspiracy behind the legislation passed in the Lok Sabha.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the passage of the Waqf Bill was a "watershed moment" and that this would help the marginalised, who have been "denied both voice and opportunity".
"The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth. This will particularly help those who have long remained on the margins, thus being denied both voice and opportunity," PM Modi posted on X.
Highlighting the importance of debate and dialogue, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all the MPs who contributed to strengthening the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha (LoP) and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge attacked the union government after the parliament passed the Waqf Bill, saying that the government had taken a "negative stand."
"It is their interpretation, we kept our views on the bill in front of them (government). They have taken a negative stand, and they are taking it forward," Kharge told reporters.
The Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 in the early hours of Friday after a marathon and heated debate.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, "Ayes 128 and Noes 95, Absent zero. The Bill is passed."
The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation.
Lok Sabha, which took up discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, passed it past midnight after a marathon debate.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
The Bill aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)