Non-implementation of Waqf Act by states will be a constitutional violation: BJP MP

The BJP criticised the Congress and other INDIA bloc members for their persistent resistance to the Waqf Amendment Act, claiming on Monday, April 14, that states cannot refuse to execute it, citing constitutional restrictions.

The BJP's response followed statements made by Karnataka minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan that the legislation would not be enforced in the state and by state minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA Hafizul Hassan that Sharia came first to him, followed by the Constitution. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also had declared on Saturday that West Bengal would not be implementing the Act.

When questioned about their position on the matter, BJP National Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi remarked that their statements made it apparent that the Constitution would be jeopardised if their parties remained in power. He also called their statements an insult to the main drafter of the Constitution, BR Ambedkar.

"We would like to clarify that the authorities of the federal government, state governments, and local governments are well-defined following the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution. No state can evade the law passed by the Centre (Parliament), and no district panchayat can go beyond the law passed by the state assembly," the BJP Rajya Sabha MP stated. Trivedi accused them of displaying a lack of respect for the Constitution in their utterances.

While the BJP and the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) hold the Constitution close to their hearts, they maintain it in their pockets. "Those who keep the Constitution in their pockets and those who keep it in their hearts are engaged in a battle," he stated.

"The 73rd and 74th amendments, which were deemed 'revolutionary' at the time, were approved by the Congress government. The amendments that their own government passed today seem to be being destroyed," he continued. Based on the statements made by the ministers of Karnataka and Jharkhand, the BJP spokesperson challenged the Congress and its supporters to act against them.

"If it doesn't do anything, it will be obvious that the Congress and the INDI Alliance value Sharia more than the Constitution," he continued.