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Abdurahiman argued that the bill violates the rights of the state with respect to waqf matters, effectively weakening the authority of waqf boards and tribunals, which are tasked with overseeing waqf properties.
The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution against the controversial 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill from the Central government. Waqf, Haj Pilgrimage and Sports Minister V Abdurahiman moved the proposal. This proposal said that this bill weakens the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution. Abdurahiman argued that the bill violates the rights of the state with respect to waqf matters, effectively weakening the authority of waqf boards and tribunals, which are tasked with overseeing waqf properties.
He said the bill not only violates the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution but also jeopardizes democratic values by appointing a board of nominated members and a nominated chairperson in place of elected representatives. The Minister stressed that fundamental rights including freedom of belief, secularism, federalism and democratic principles should not be compromised. He said the bill contains provisions that are contrary to the basic foundation of the Constitution and called on the central government to immediately withdraw it.
The proposal received support from the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which proposed several amendments to the proposal, some of which were accepted during the discussion. This bipartisan agreement highlights the Legislature’s collective stance against the proposed bill, reflecting broader concerns about federal overreach and the preservation of democratic processes in state governance.
