India counters Pakistan's remarks on Waqf amendment; SC to hear petitions tomorrow

NEW DELHI: India has firmly responded to Pakistan's claim that the Waqf Amendment Act is aimed at seizing Muslim properties. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the allegation as baseless and emphasised that Pakistan has no right to interfere in India's internal matters. He also urged Pakistan to reflect on its treatment of minorities within its own borders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that large areas of land in India are registered under Waqf, benefiting land mafias. He explained that the Waqf Amendment Act was introduced to stop land grabbing and protect the poor. Modi accused the Congress party of opposing the amendment to promote vote-bank politics and claimed they had altered Waqf rules for their own benefit. According to him, this misuse of the law has left many Muslim youth with limited job opportunities, such as repairing bicycle punctures.

The Supreme Court is set to hear petitions both supporting and opposing the Waqf Amendment Act on Wednesday. Opposition parties like Congress, the Muslim League, DMK, and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board will seek an immediate stay on the law. On the other hand, six BJP-ruled states and other petitioners in favour of the law will argue against the stay. The central government has also filed a petition in support of the law. The case will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices P.V. Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan.