Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused the opposition of failing to act on the concerns of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav regarding the Waqf Bill, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is now fulfilling them.

Participating in the Lok Sabha debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Shah argued that the new legislation would not have been necessary if the Congress-led UPA II government had not introduced amendments to the Waqf Act in 2013. He recalled that during the 2013 debate, Lalu Prasad had demanded a strict law to curb land encroachments and punish wrongdoers.

Quoting Lalu Yadav’s remarks from the Parliament records, Shah said, "We welcome the amendment bill presented by the government. I support the statements made by (BJP leader) Shahnawaz Hussain and others. Most of the land has been grabbed, be it government-owned or otherwise. People in the Waqf Board have sold all of prime land. In Patna, apartments have been constructed on Dak Bungalow property. We support the amendments, but we want you (the UPA II government) to bring in a strict law in the future.”

Looking towards the opposition benches, Shah remarked, "Lalu Prasad's wishes were not fulfilled by them, but Narendra Modi is doing it."

Addressing concerns raised by the Opposition, Shah dismissed allegations that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill sought to interfere in religious matters. He clarified that there is no provision for appointing non-Muslims to manage Waqf properties and that the government has no intention of introducing such a measure.

"A rumour is being spread that this Act is aimed at interfering with the religious practices of our Muslim brothers and their donated property. This is being done to intimidate the minorities," Shah asserted.