Tripura BJP to Launch Jan Jagaran Abhiyan to Bust Myths Around Waqf Amendment Bill 2025

Agartala: To dispel widespread misinformation and confusion surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch a nationwide campaign titled “Jan Jagaran Abhiyan” from April 20 to May 5.

The awareness drive aims to reach out to the public, especially the minority communities, and counter what the party calls a deliberate attempt by the opposition to mislead people. A central monitoring committee, led by the BJP National General Secretary, has been constituted to oversee the campaign across states.

At a state-level workshop held at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan here in Agartala as part of the Abhiyan, Tripura’s Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha came down heavily on opposition parties, particularly the CPI(M) and Congress, accusing them of spreading confusion for political gain.

“Many people have no idea what the Waqf even is. But when the bill was introduced, we studied it carefully. The opposition’s intention is only to mislead the people. They did the same when the Triple Talaq law was abolished. Whenever something good is done, they protest,” he said.

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Dr. Saha asserted that the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 was aimed at protecting the interests of poor Muslims and ensuring transparency in the management of Waqf properties.

“Despite vast assets under Waqf, there’s no transparency or development. This bill addresses that and ensures benefits actually reach the community,” he added. He also highlighted historical context, mentioning how the Waqf Board was established in 1954 under Jawaharlal Nehru’s government and later empowered through the 1995 and 2013 legislations, which allegedly opened the door for misuse.

He further stated that the current government has taken a strong stance against misuse and encroachment, and assured that strict legal action would be taken against those attempting to incite unrest in the name of Waqf. The Chief Minister also hinted that he is fully aware of recent incidents, including one in Kailasahar, and appropriate steps are being taken.

Similarly, former Chief Minister of Tripura and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb raised sharp questions about the management and output of Waqf-owned assets. “Waqf Boards across the country own nearly 9 lakh acres of land, while Railways owns about 11.8 lakh acres. But Railways generates Rs 2.4 lakh crore in annual tax, while Waqf contributes only Rs 126–Rs 150 crore,” he pointed out.

“Despite holding such vast resources, Waqf income is just in thousands, not crores. Why isn’t this land benefiting poor Muslims?” he asked.

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Deb also referred to the Sachar Committee Report of 2005, which revealed that around 80% of Waqf properties were either unaccounted for or encroached upon.

“When the Indian Railways is contributing to the nation, why can’t Waqf? If this institution really worked as it should, it would be considered a boon. But unfortunately, it’s been turned into a tool for vested interests,” he said.

He criticised the 2013 amendment that allegedly allowed Waqf Boards to stake claims over land without judicial scrutiny. “At one point, they even claimed that the land where Parliament stands belongs to the Waqf. That’s how far this went. The 2025 Amendment puts a stop to such misuse,” he said.

Deb also highlighted the lack of women’s representation in the Central Waqf Board, stating that out of all members, only two are women, and both are from upper-caste Muslim families. “Not even a single woman from the backward Muslim community has a voice there. That’s why this amendment makes it mandatory to include at least three women members in every Waqf committee,” he added. He urged the Muslim community to look at the new law as a tool for justice and transparency, not as a threat.

Also read | Stone Pelting, Lathi-Charge During Anti-Waqf Bill Protest In Tripura

Meanwhile, BJP State President and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, speaking at the same event, emphasised that the original Waqf Act of 1995 had severe loopholes, which led to widespread corruption and loss for the poor and backward Muslims. “We have seen how certain individuals misused Section 40 and other clauses of the act to illegally occupy land and siphon off resources. The 2025 Amendment is a corrective step to protect both the properties and the people they were meant to serve,” he said.

Bhattacharjee added that this campaign is a step toward ensuring the truth reaches every doorstep and that genuine concerns of the minority community are addressed through facts, not fear. He also assured that the BJP remains committed to preserving cultural harmony while ensuring equitable justice through legal reform.