"Bulldozer attack on Constitution, fundamental rights": Kerala Minister P Rajeev on Waqf Act

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], April 7 (ANI): Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev on Monday said that the new Waqf Amendment Act is a bulldozer attack on the Constitution and the fundamental rights enshrined in it.
The Law Minister further stated that nobody could explain which clause in this act would give relief to the people of Munambam.
Around 610 families of Munambam, a coastal village in the Ernakulam district, have been protesting against the claim by the Waqf Board on their land.
"... We were earlier opposing this new Waqf Act because it is a bulldozer attack on the Constitution and the fundamental rights enshrined in it. Nobody can explain which clauses in this act will give relief to the Munambam people..." Rajeev told reporters.
Earlier today, the petitions filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 were mentioned before the Supreme Court.
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan, Maulana Arshad Madani, the President of the Islamic cleric's body Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, Kerala Sunni scholars' body Samastha Kerala Jamiatul Ulema, Social Democratic Party of India, and NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights have already approached the top court against the Act.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly descended into chaos on Monday morning after members of the National Conference and its allies protested against the enactment of the Waqf amendment bill, they also protested speaker Abdul Rahim Rather's decision to reject their adjournment motion on the Waqf Amendment Act.
As the session began, opposition MLAs rose to demand a discussion on the recent amendments made to the Waqf Act, voicing concerns over its implications. However, Speaker Rather maintained that the matter could not be taken up under an adjournment motion since it was currently sub judice.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said, "As per rules, no matter which is sub-judice can be brought up for adjournment. Since this issue is in the Supreme Court and I have got a copy of it, the rule clearly says that we cannot discuss through an adjournment motion."
NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq moved the adjournment motion. Soon after, NC MLAs began approaching the well but were stopped by Marshalls. NC MLAs then raised slogans, "Ban karo ban karo Waqf bill ko ban karo."
The PDP, which is not in alliance with the NC, also joined the protests and accused the National Conference of indulging in a fixed match.
On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament during the budget session.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Bill on April 4 with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, while the Lok Sabha cleared the bill after a lengthy debate, with 288 members voting in favour and 232 opposing it.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to focus on improving the management of waqf properties, empowering stakeholders relevant to this, improving the efficiency of survey, registration, and case disposal processes, and developing waqf properties. While the core purpose remains to manage waqf properties, the aim is to implement modern and scientific methods for better governance. The Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923 was also repealed. (ANI)