Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief rips into PM Modi’s remarks on Waqf law

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on the Waqf law drew sharp reaction from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani who said Waqf is an integral part of Islam.

Modi, while addressing BJP workers in Delhi on Saturday, had said there was no place for Waqf law in the Constitution.

"I was appalled to learn that Modi ji has expressed the view that Waqf should be done away with since there is no provision in its favour in the Constitution. We did not expect such a frivolous remark from the Prime Minister of India," Madani said.

He was addressing a conference titled ‘Save the Constitution and National Solidarity’ organised by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, arguably the largest organisation of Indian Muslims.

Alleging that Modi’s remarks are bereft of sense, Madani said: “Tomorrow, it may be said that Muslims would not be allowed to offer namaz, go for Haj pilgrimage and give away zakat (alms) since these too find no mention in the Constitution”.

Claiming that Waqf is an integral part of Islam, Madani pointed out that the Constitution grants every religious minority the right to practise its faith.

"The PM should know that Waqf is an integral part of Islam and it finds mention in the Hadith, which are words spoken by our Prophet. As such, it is the duty of Muslims to safeguard Wakf,” he added.

Madani urged both Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, the BJP allies, not to support the bill in parliament.

He further launched a scathing attack on Assam Chief Minister Hmanta Bviswa Sharma, for labelling the Muslims in Jharkhand as infiltrators.

"The Assam CM spent months in Jharkhand,labelling Muslims as infiltrators. He should remember that most of the Muslims are of Indian origin," Madani said.