SAD Passes Resolution Against Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Voices Solidarity with Minorities

• Apr 2, 2025

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday passed a resolution opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill during its Parliamentary Board meeting, expressing concerns over the potential impact of the proposed changes on minority communities.

SAD leader Daljit S. Cheema reaffirmed the party’s commitment to standing with the Muslim community, emphasizing that no legislation affecting minorities should be enacted without their consultation. “Minorities are an important part of India,” Cheema said. “No law should be passed without the consensus of the affected community.”

Cheema criticized the proposed increase in nominated members to the Waqf Board and the provision to include non-Muslim members, calling it an overreach by the government. Drawing a parallel to Sikh institutions, he referred to the government's increased control over the Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib Board in Nanded. “Earlier, similar actions were taken with the Hazur Sahib Board by increasing nominations. Now it’s being repeated with our Muslim brothers. This must stop,” he asserted.

He further warned that such unilateral decisions could erode the trust of minority communities. “These things cause uneasiness. When trust is broken, it can have serious consequences,” he said.

The Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib Board oversees the operations of gurdwaras in the Nanded area, while the Takhat Patna Sahib is under the administration of the Bihar government.

In addition to the Waqf Bill, the SAD also passed a resolution condemning the vandalism of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s statue in the Phillaur area of Punjab’s Jalandhar district. Cheema termed the incident a "cowardly act" and alleged it was part of a larger conspiracy to create communal discord. "Slogans were written near the statue and a video from abroad with abusive content against Ambedkar was shared. This is a deep-rooted conspiracy to disturb harmony in Punjab," he said.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, April 2, by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju. The bill is expected to be taken up for consideration and passage after the Question Hour, followed by an eight-hour discussion which may be extended.

Political parties from both the ruling and opposition alliances have issued whips to their Members of Parliament to ensure full attendance. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), in its release, stated that a three-line whip had been issued to its MPs for the Lok Sabha session on April 2, citing the significance of the bill. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) informed its Rajya Sabha members to be present on Thursday, April 3, for the passage of other key legislative matters.