Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 3: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP government, alleging that the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Bill was aimed at gaining control over Waqf Board lands rather than addressing corruption.
“We have opposed corruption, not the Bill,” Thackeray clarified, while also accusing the government of using the legislation to divert public attention from the US imposing reciprocal tariffs on India.
Thackeray criticized Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the Bill, remarking, “Rijiju had earlier supported eating beef, and now they want to teach us about Hindutva and Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideology? They call us anti-Hindu?”
He further accused the BJP of using the Bill under the guise of benefiting Muslims while simultaneously appointing non-Muslims to the Waqf Board. “We had proposed amendments before the Bill’s introduction, but they disregarded them and went ahead with their own agenda,” he added.
Taking a jibe at the BJP’s stance on Hindutva, Thackeray challenged the party, saying, “If you are so committed, then remove the green color from your flag. You claim this Bill is about justice, but in reality, you plan to seize Waqf lands and hand them over to your friends.”
Thackeray also accused the BJP of shifting its ideological stance for political convenience. “Yesterday, the BJP backed Muslims in a way that would put Jinnah to shame. They accuse us of abandoning Hindutva, but what did they do yesterday?”
Mocking the party’s inconsistent policies, he remarked, “One day, BJP leaders demand to dig up Aurangzeb’s grave, and the next day, orders come from above to stop digging. Their actions contradict their words.”
Thackeray also criticized the BJP for failing to deliver on promises regarding Kashmiri Pandits. “We supported the abrogation of Article 370.
Balasaheb Thackeray provided shelter to Kashmiri Pandits when they were exiled. But how much land has been returned to them since then? What about Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir? Why is no one talking about China’s aggression?”
Bringing the focus back to US tariffs, he argued that the government should have taken the country into confidence before imposing countermeasures. “The people deserve to know what steps are being taken and how these tariffs will impact India’s economy. Instead, they tabled the Waqf Bill to distract everyone from the real issue.”
Recalling his time as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister during the pandemic, Thackeray pointed out, “During COVID-19, PM Modi held video conferences with us while working from home. If he had done something similar to explain the US tariffs, we would have supported him. But instead, they brought up the Waqf Bill to hide this economic setback.”