BJP to start awareness drive on new Waqf law

New Delhi: The BJP will launch a fortnight-long public awareness campaign, aimed especially at Muslims, from April 20 to publicise the benefits of the Waqf (Amendment) Act and counter the opposition’s criticism of it, with party president JP Nadda and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju addressing its delegates on Thursday.
BJP office-bearers from across the country attended a workshop here as Nadda accused the opposition parties of misleading Muslims over the provisions of the amended law as part of its vote-bank politics. He asserted that the PM Modi-led government is determined to make ‘pasmanda (backward)’ Muslims and women stakeholders in management and welfare programmes of the Waqf with transparent and efficient management of its properties.
Members of Waqf boards from BJP-ruled states and the party’s organisation, including its minority wing, attended the day-long workshop.
Nadda said the new law would help utilise Waqf properties for the welfare of poor Muslims and women, adding it would free these assets from the control of a small but influential section of people and open them for the minority community’s overall benefit.