At an Iftar dinner in Vijayawada, CM N Chandrababu Naidu reaffirmed TDP's commitment to protecting Waqf properties and highlighted past initiatives, including the creation of a Muslim Finance Corporation and Urdu universities
Published Mar 31, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 31, 2025 | 8:00 AM
TDP treading on eggshells on Waqf Amendment Bill(X)
Synopsis: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is carefully navigating its position on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024. While assuring the Muslim community of protecting Waqf properties, the party has not explicitly opposed other controversial provisions. CM N Chandrababu Naidu reiterated his commitment to Muslim welfare during an Iftar dinner, highlighting past initiatives like the establishment of Urdu universities and a Muslim finance corporation
The Telugu Desam Party is doing a tight-rope walk on its stance on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024.
While assuring the Muslim community that Waqf properties will be safeguarded at all costs, the party has not explicitly opposed other contentious provisions of the bill that many Muslims strongly object to.
At an Iftar dinner in Vijayawada on 27 March, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Waqf Board properties. He recalled the TDP’s past initiatives for Muslim welfare, dating back to the tenure of party founder NT Rama Rao, who established the first-ever Finance Corporation for Muslims. Naidu further noted that in the erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh, the TDP had established an Urdu University in Hyderabad, and another in Kurnool after the state’s bifurcation.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is currently awaiting passage in the Parliament. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 8 August, 2024, and later referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for review. The JPC submitted its report to both Houses on 13 February, 2025, and the Union Cabinet approved the bill, incorporating the committee’s recommendations, on 19 February, 2025. The bill is now set to be debated and passed by Parliament.
A major point of contention among Muslims is the bill’s provision to transfer certain powers from Waqf tribunals to district collectors. The community fears that this could lead to excessive bureaucratic control, increasing the risk of encroachments and mismanagement of Waqf properties.
This apart, Muslim organisations have expressed concerns about the amendment mandating the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in state Waqf boards and the removal of the requirement for the Waqf Board CEO to be a Muslim. They argue that non-Muslim members may lack the necessary understanding of Islamic customs and traditions to manage Waqf affairs effectively.
Another contentious issue is the replacement of two Muslim Members of Parliament in the Central Waqf Council with two women members, without specifying their religious background. Many fear that the absence of a stipulation ensuring Muslim representation could impact the council’s efficiency and relevance.
Fathullah Mohammad, General Secretary of the TDP’s minority cell, has raised serious concerns about the bill in the past, asserting that nearly 40 sections could be detrimental to both the Muslim community and the functioning of Waqf boards.
TDP MP Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu, a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the bill, proposed two key amendments on behalf of the party. The first pertained to Clause 3, which states that “existing Waqf-by-user properties registered on or before the commencement of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2024, will remain as Waqf properties, except where there is a dispute or the property is classified as government land.” (Waqf refers to a religious endowment where a property is donated for charitable or religious purposes.)
The second proposed change related to Clause 4, which sought to include a proviso allowing a Mutawalli (manager of a Waqf property) to request an extension beyond the stipulated six-month period to register Waqf details on the designated portal. Devarayalu also suggested a revision to Clause 4, advocating that instead of district collectors making inquiries into Waqf property disputes, a designated officer above the rank of collector should be appointed for this role.
This aligns with the TDP’s apprehension that dissolving the Waqf tribunals and transferring its responsibilities to district collectors could lead to biased assessments, threatening the impartiality and security of Waqf properties. Although the TDP has not explicitly opposed the dissolution of tribunals, it remains cautious about vesting excessive authority in district collectors.
Furthermore, the TDP has remained silent on provisions allowing non-Muslims to be part of state Waqf boards and permitting non-Muslims to serve as CEOs. Muslim organisations argue that these measures could compromise the religious and cultural integrity of Waqf institutions, leading to decisions misaligned with community interests.
A senior TDP leader stated, “We are not opposing the provision that mandates the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in Waqf boards to maintain a secular character. However, we strongly object to the sweeping powers proposed for district collectors.”
As a key ally of the NDA government at the center, the TDP is treading cautiously, balancing its commitment to secularism and its support for the Muslim community, which played a crucial role in its stunning electoral success in Andhra Pradesh.
The party, at the same time, does not wish to antagonise the BJP, as it relies on the central government’s support for crucial infrastructure projects like Amaravati and Polavaram.
A TDP leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, remarked, “The state government is adopting a middle path—ensuring Muslim interests are protected while maintaining good relations with the BJP at the center. Andhra Pradesh is in a phase of reconstruction, and we need central assistance. At the same time, TDP has been a steadfast supporter of the Muslim community since its inception in 1982.”
As muslims constitute approximately 12 percent of Andhra Pradesh’s population, particularly concentrated in the Rayalaseema region, the TDP is wary of alienating this voter base. Having recently gained ground from the YSR Congress Party in the region, the party is keen on consolidating its support further among Muslims.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
