"Insults constitution he swears by": Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman slams Owaisi

New Delhi [India], April 3 (ANI): Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman Shadab Shams on Thursday morning hit out at All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asasuddin Owaisi for tearing the copy of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, labelling it an "insult" to the constitution.
He said protesting was allowed, but one has to maintain some boundaries. Protests, he added, must happen without damaging the country's property and without spreading anarchy.
"Owaisi insults the very constitution he swears by. Don't you feel ashamed? Do you think that by doing this, the ruling side would be afraid? Protesting is allowed in a democracy, but you have to maintain some boundaries. If you have to protest, then protest without causing damage to the country's property and without spreading anarchy," Shams told ANI.
Appealing to the Muslim community to avoid getting misled by Owaisi, Shams argued that those opposing the amendments to the concerned Act were the "Waqf mafia" and they feared their properties would go to the poor Muslims.
"I appeal to the Muslim community not to get misled by him. Those who are opposing are the Waqf mafia. They are opposing fearing that their properties would go to the poor Muslims," he added.
Speaking on the passage of the bill, Shams said that it would put a check on the excesses of the Waqf board and those who have "usurped" the rights of poor Muslims. Labelling it as an "economic revolution", he said that good days are ahead for poor Muslims.
"The faces of poor Muslims are blossoming like a lotus because the Waqf Amendment Bill has been passed. Good days are coming for poor Muslims as they are ready to join the mainstream... This bill has put a check on the excesses of the Waqf Board and on those Waqf mafias who have looted the Waqf and usurped the rights of poor Muslims... This day will be remembered as an economic revolution for poor Muslims," Shams said.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairman on the Waqf Amendment Bill and BJP MP Jagadambika Pal on Wednesday slammed AIMIM chief Asasuddin Owaisi for tearing the Bill copy and called the latter's act "unconstitutional".
"Asasuddin Owaisi calls the bill unconstitutional, but he has done the unconstitutional thing by tearing up the bill...I want to ask him why he tore the bill?": Jagadambika Pal said in the Lok Sabha.
Earlier, Owaisi attacked the BJP-led Central government over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and unstapled and tore the copy of the bill as a mark to oppose the amendment. He alleged that Muslims would be treated unfairly through the Waqf Bill.
Owaisi rejected the Waqf Amendment Bill and said that the BJP wants to create conflicts in the name of temples and mosques.
"I am tearing this Bill as this Bill is unconstitutional. In this country, the BJP wants to create conflicts in the name of temples and mosques. That's why I condemn this," Owaisi said, tearing up the Bill.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate, during which members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.
The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the result of the division. "Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal," he said.
The government brought the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation which was introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995. The 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, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)