Smriti Irani, the Minister of Minority Affairs, took a clear stand on Wednesday, asserting that no Waqf Board in India has the power to expel a person or a community from a religion. Her comments arrived amidst a heated dispute revolving around the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board’s resolution that labelled the Ahmadiyya community as non-Muslims.
Despite the prominent Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s endorsement of the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board’s position on Tuesday, asserting it as the “unanimous position” of all Muslims, Irani refused to give ground. She clarified that all Waqf Boards are subject to Parliamentary legislation, hence their actions cannot contravene the parliamentary dignity and laws. “No Waqf Board can act contrary to the dignity of Parliament and violate laws made by it. No Waqf Board has permission that it changes a fatwa into a government order,” Irani stated outside Parliament. She pointedly added, “No non-state actor has authority to violate an Act of Parliament.”
Irani’s intervention comes as the Ministry of Minority Affairs has raised objections to the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board’s resolution, describing it as a “hate campaign” with potential national ramifications. A stern letter was sent to the Andhra Pradesh government, noting that the Waqf Board lacks the jurisdiction to determine the religious identity of any community, including the Ahmadiyyas.
The ministry is currently awaiting a response from K S Jawahar Reddy, the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, having requested that he provide a factual account of the situation concerning the Ahmadiyya community’s appeal to the Ministry of Minority Affairs. In the midst of a divisive and potentially destabilising conflict, Irani’s firm stance highlights the government’s commitment to uphold the law and protect the rights of religious minorities in India. This unfolding controversy will doubtlessly continue to generate significant public and political scrutiny.
