Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu, DD: National Conference Additional General Secretary and formerMinister Mr Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today come down heavily on the BJP over Waqf(Amendment) Bill, calling it a blatant attack on the Constitution of India and a
dangerous step towards sabotaging the country’s religious harmony.
In a statement issued here today, Mr Sadhotra said that the bill is not just alegislative move, but a calculated attempt to trample upon the foundational ideaof India, an idea that celebrates unity in diversity and guarantees religious
freedom as enshrined in the Constitution.
“This amendment is a direct threat to the secular fabric of our nation. It seeks toundermine the autonomy of religious institutions and marginalize communitiesunder the garb of legal reform,” he said.
Former Minister said passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill sets a dangerous
precedent that could embolden and encourage the BJP government to interfere in the religious affairs of any community, be it Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, or even Hindus. This legislation is not just about Waqf properties; it reflects a broader
pattern of state overreach into religious institutions, raising serious concerns about the erosion of religious autonomy in the country, he added.
“If such interference goes unchecked, it could pave the way for further legislative interventions targeting the management, administration, and practices of various religious organizations. This poses a grave threat to India’s secular and pluralistic ethos, where every faith has traditionally been allowed to govern its own affairs
without undue state control”’ Mr Sadhotra said.
The National Conference Additional General Secretary cautioned that such divisive moves would shatter the delicate communal harmony that has held the country together for decades. “This is not governance; this is a deliberate pursuit
of a divisive agenda that will ruin Mahatma Gandhi’s secular India,” he said.Mr Sadhotra emphasized that religious institutions, including the Waqf Boards, have played a vital role in social welfare and community development, especially
in marginalized sections of society. “Instead of strengthening these institutions,
the government is bent on weakening them, creating fear and mistrust among communities,” he added.
“The National Conference will continue to resist such unconstitutional and
undemocratic measures and stand firm in defense of India’s inclusive ethos,” he declared.
Mr Ajay Sadhotra called upon all secular, democratic forces to join hands in
defending the Constitution and preserving the soul of India from divisive politics unleashed by the BJP especially during the past over 10 years,DD
