August 8, 2024
Sudip Bandyopadhyay’s speech opposing the introduction of The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Sir, I will be brief. My Constituency is in the city of Kolkata. It has huge number of Muslims and full of Wakf properties. I am a little aware. I will speak on only few points. It is violative of Article 14 which is equality before law. It is unconstitutional due to violation of Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution which talks about the Right to Freedom of Religion. It is opposing that right. It is against federalism as land is stated in Seventh Schedule of the Constitution as a State subject. In Sardar Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb versus the State of Bombay, 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that the States should not interfere in the matters of religion. This Bill is divisive. The Bill is anti-constitutional. The Bill is antifederal. Therefore, I strongly object to the introduction of this Bill.
