Waqf reforms have Muslim backing, claims BJP leader as outreach drive kicks off in Rajasthan

As the BJP intensifies its nationwide awareness campaign on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, the party's Rajasthan in-charge, Radha Mohan Das Agarwal on April 16 asserted that a significant section of the Muslim community backs the new reforms, countering narratives of widespread dissent.

Speaking at a state-level workshop held at the BJP headquarters in Jaipur, Agarwal claimed that the previous Waqf management system enabled the misuse of properties by a powerful few, while ordinary Muslims were left disenfranchised.

“The amendments guarantee dignity and security for the average Muslim,” he was quoted as saying by Indian Express defending the bill amid growing opposition and protests in several parts of the country.

The workshop, attended by BJP state president Madan Rathore and members of the BJP Minority Morcha, aimed to equip party workers with talking points and understanding of the new legislation. Rajasthan is the second stop in the BJP’s awareness drive, which began in Goa.

The party plans to extend the campaign to other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Uttarakhand, with the initial phase concluding by April 25. Ongoing local campaigns will follow.

Agarwal also launched a scathing critique of the Congress, accusing the party of neglecting real development within the Muslim community for decades.

“For 65 years, Congress reduced Muslims to vote banks and kept them in menial roles—cobblers, tailors, band players,” he said. “In contrast, during just 11 years of BJP governance, Muslim representation in central jobs has risen from 5% to 9.5%.”

He cited Islamic teachings to justify the amendments, noting that the Quran emphasizes written documentation even for minor transactions. “Waqf properties were taken from the poor without any paperwork. The same people who exploited these assets are now opposing the reforms,” he alleged.

Referring to the 2006 Sachar Committee report, Agarwal highlighted that while India has over 4.5 lakh Waqf properties covering six lakh acres, only ₹163 crore in annual income was reported.

“This is a fraction of the ₹12,000 crore these assets could generate. The rest was siphoned off by religious leaders and Congress politicians, while Mutawallis acted like private landlords,” he said.

Later in the evening, the BJP hosted a large gathering with members of the Muslim community in Jaipur, where the party reiterated its stance and explained the benefits of the amended law. The outreach effort will continue across Rajasthan throughout April.