NewKerala.com

Mamata's Warning: Why Waqf Property Registration Sparks Political Battle

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken a firm stand against the registration of Waqf properties in a central portal. She argues that the new Waqf Act is a BJP-led central government imposition. Banerjee also connects this issue to broader concerns about voter revision exercises being a backdoor for the NRC. Furthermore, she accuses the Union government of financially strangling the state by withholding significant funds.

Key Points: Mamata Banerjee Vows to Protect Waqf Properties Amid Centre's Portal Push

  • Mamata vows to protect all religious properties from external interference
  • She criticizes BJP's new Waqf Act, calling it a forced central law
  • Banerjee pledges to resist NRC implementation disguised as voter revision
  • CM accuses Centre of withholding Rs 1.87 lakh crore in state dues
2 min read

Will not allow any impact on religious place: CM Mamata on registration of Waqf properties in Centre's portal

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee pledges to shield religious properties from impact, criticizes BJP's Waqf Act and warns against NRC attempts via SIR.

"I will not allow any impact on any religious place. - Mamata Banerjee"

Kolkata, Dec 3

Reacting to the development that 50 per cent of the Waqf Estate in the state has been registered in the Centre's portal by the state Waqf Development Board, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she will not allow any impact on any religious place.

While indirectly trying to establish that registration was necessary as per the new Waqf (Amendment) Act, a central law, she also claimed that in West Bengal, she would not allow anyone to put their hands on anybody else's property.

"It was not us but the BJP-ruled Union Government which had promulgated the new Waqf Act. We have passed a motion in the assembly against it. We have also moved the Supreme Court against that Act. The case is on. But, I want to say we will not allow anyone to put their hands on anybody else's property. I will not allow any impact on any religious place," the Chief Minister said while addressing an anti-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) rally at Gazole in minority-dominated Malda district.

Speaking on the occasion, she said Union Home Minister Amit Shah initiated the SIR.

The Chief Minister said she will foil all attempts to slap the National Register of Citizens in the state under the guise of the revision exercise

"I want to assure everybody that we will resist all attempts to send people to detention camps. We will resist all attempts to delete the names of genuine voters through SIR. We have never opposed SIR. All I said was that the exercise should be conducted over a reasonable period of time," the Chief Minister said.

She lambasted the Union government for "holding back" central funds to the state government.

"There is only one tax in the country now, which is GST. The Union Government is collecting from the state and not releasing our dues. We are yet to receive dues to the tune of Rs 1.87 lakh crore from the Union government," the Chief Minister said.

She also said that if the BJP was too keen to grab power in West Bengal, it should do so "democratically".

"Grabbing anything by force is nothing short of an emergency," she said.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone living in Kolkata, I appreciate Didi's strong stance on protecting religious places. The fear of NRC and detention camps is very real here, especially after what happened in Assam. Her rally in Malda sends a strong message to the community.
R
Rohit P
The issue of central funds is a serious one affecting Bengal's development. If Rs 1.87 lakh crore is indeed withheld, it's the people of the state who suffer. This constant tussle between Centre and state needs to stop for the sake of progress.
P
Priya S
While I support protecting all places of worship, a central registry for transparency isn't necessarily a bad thing. The problem is the lack of trust and the political venom in the discourse. Everything becomes a Hindu vs Muslim issue, which is tragic for our secular fabric.
V
Vikram M
"Grabbing anything by force is nothing short of an emergency." Strong words from the CM. The political battle in Bengal is intense. Hope democracy prevails and the people's mandate is respected, whichever way it goes.
M
Michael C
The legal aspect is interesting. The state has moved the Supreme Court against the Act. Let the judiciary decide the constitutionality of the law. That's the proper channel in a democracy, not political rallies that can inflame passions.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50