'UDF govt betrayed minorities'; CPM lashes out at govt for supporting reconstitution of Waqf Board 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM has strongly criticised the UDF government, accusing it of betraying minorities and Kerala's secular society by supporting the reconstitution of the Waqf Board in line with the BJP's agenda.

In a statement issued by the party's state secretariat, the CPM said the UDF government's stand before the Kerala High Court clearly reflects the Sangh Parivar's influence on its policies.

The controversy began after the government reportedly told the High Court that it was willing to reconstitute the Waqf Board, in line with a petition filed by BJP state Vice President Shaun George.

The CPM questioned why the UDF had changed its position after coming to power. The party pointed out that the previous LDF government had unanimously passed a resolution in the Kerala Assembly against the Centre's amendments to the Waqf Act.

The party asked whether the UDF's latest stand was part of a political understanding with the BJP. It also questioned whether UDF allies, including the Muslim League, supported the government's position. The CPM demanded that the League and other alliance partners clearly explain their stand to the public.

The CPM also referred to the court proceedings, saying the Advocate General openly told the Chief Justice that the government fully supported the position taken in the BJP leader's petition. According to the party, this shows that the government's current stand is a continuation of an earlier understanding with the BJP. The party further said that community organisations supporting the Muslim League should also clarify their position on the issue.

The CPM alleged that the Waqf Act amendments introduced by the BJP-led Central government were part of the RSS's long-term agenda to divide the country. The party claimed the amendments ignored the constitutional rights of citizens. It also highlighted that the Left parties strongly opposed the amendments in Parliament. The CPM criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming he remained a silent spectator during the debate, and alleged that Priyanka Gandhi did not even attend the proceedings.

The party concluded by saying that the UDF government's stand on the Waqf Board has exposed what it described as its willingness to surrender to communal politics.