Shillong, Apr 3: The state BJP has welcomed the passage to Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha late Thursday night and thanked the Narendra Modi-led central government and all NDA partners for supporting the Bill.
The party, which has two MLAs in the 60-member state assembly, particularly hailed the insertion that states that “no land belonging to tribals under the provisions of Fifth Schedule or Sixth Schedule of the Constitution shall be declared or deemed to be Waqf property”.
“Once again it has been proved that only a BJP-led NDA Govt can protect the rights of minorities and tribal people of our nation,” said BJP state general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna in a statement.
Poshna termed the passage to the Bill as a moment of celebration for Meghalaya.
“This provision in the Act, ensuring that any land in our state covered by the Sixth Schedule remains protected against Waqf enchroachment, should be celebrated by everyone in Meghalaya.”
He mentioned that Catholic Bishops Conference of India too came out in support of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and urged political parties to adopt an unbiased and constructive approach to the issue.
Accusing the parties opposing the Bill, he said, “Those opposed to the Waqf Bill are conveniently ignoring the voice of the minorities while claiming to be champions of minority rights.”
