Waqf Act will not be implemented in Karnataka: Zameer Ahmed

www.mangaloretoday.com

Dharwad, April 13, 2025: The ongoing political controversy surrounding the Waqf Amendment Act took a fresh twist on Sunday, as Karnataka’s Minister for Housing and Minority Welfare, B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, categorically declared that the contentious legislation "will not be implemented" in the state, despite its passage in Parliament.

Speaking in solidarity with other opposition-ruled states, Zameer emphasized, “The governments of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka have unanimously decided that the Waqf Amendment Act is unacceptable to us.”

Expressing grief over the loss of lives during anti-Act protests in West Bengal, Zameer said, “I am deeply saddened by the deaths of three people during the protests in West Bengal. This bill should not have been passed, but it has. We will address the issue through the courts, where I am confident we will secure justice. Karnataka will not implement this law.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed by Parliament earlier this month, introduces significant changes to the governance of Muslim charitable land endowments, known as waqfs. Key provisions include the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the central Waqf Council and heightened government oversight, aimed at increasing transparency and addressing corruption.

However, the Act has sparked widespread protests in several states. In West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, demonstrations escalated into violent clashes, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Protesters argue that the Act allows excessive government control over waqf properties, potentially undermining their religious and cultural significance.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for calm in the wake of the unrest. Reiterating her stance against the Act’s implementation in the state, she urged citizens to maintain peace and avoid further violence.