A Raja, DMK's Lok Sabha Whip, filed the petition against the Waqf Bill, condemning it as a threat to minority rights. He criticised Kiren Rijiju's defense, calling it a "cock-and-bull story."
Published Apr 07, 2025 | 4:38 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 07, 2025 | 4:38 PM
Waqf Act Amendment
Synopsis: The DMK has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, which passed in the Lok Sabha amid strong opposition. A Raja criticised the bill, calling it a threat to minority rights and judicial integrity, and warned it could undermine India’s secular values and democratic framework
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Central government’s amendment to the Waqf Act.
The move follows the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha, which has sparked strong opposition from the DMK and several other political parties.
A Raja, DMK’s Lok Sabha Whip and Deputy General Secretary, filed the petition on behalf of the party. Raja, while addressing the Lok Sabha on 2 April, launched a scathing attack on the bill, calling it a direct threat to minority rights and judicial integrity.
He particularly criticised Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s defence of the bill, accusing him of presenting a “cock-and-bull story” to Parliament.
Raja contended that the amendment was an attempt to alter property rights under the guise of reform, dismantling the existing legal protections for minority institutions.
He urged the government to respect India’s secular and constitutional values, warning that the bill could have long-term negative consequences for the country’s democratic framework.
“If we want to preserve India’s democratic and secular character, we must stand against attempts to blur the lines between governance and religion,” Raja added.
The DMK’s leader, Chief Minister MK Stalin, also voiced strong opposition to the bill, condemning the midnight passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha.
The bill was passed by a 288-232 vote after a marathon 12-hour debate, with BJP’s MLAs walking out in protest during Stalin’s speech.
Stalin described the passing of the bill at 2 am as an attack on the Constitution and a blow to India’s secular framework.
Stalin, along with DMK MLAs and allies, wore black badges in protest in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday, 3 April. He asserted that despite the bill’s passage, the significant number of votes against it should not be ignored.
“This is an attempt to disturb communal harmony in the country,” Stalin declared. “The DMK will challenge this bill in the Supreme Court.”
The legal battle now moves to the Supreme Court, where the DMK aims to have the amendment overturned.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
