By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 18 Apr: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a state workshop regarding Waqf Amendments organised at the BJP State Headquarters here today. Addressing the workshop, the CM announced that the BJP will launch a state-wide public awareness programme on the recent Waqf Bill, titled ‘Waqf Janjagran Abhiyan’ from 20 April, with the message “The rights of the poor will be given only to the poor”. He added that the campaign will ensure that Waqf properties are utilised for the welfare of the poor, particularly Pasmanda (backward) Muslims, without any religious interference.
Dhami claimed that the government is committed to examining and safeguarding every inch of Waqf land in Uttarakhand. He assured that the amendment would benefit poor, divorced, and widowed women, orphaned children, and other needy individuals in the Muslim community. Dhami also highlighted the government’s efforts to maintain the state’s demographic balance through initiatives such as the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), anti-conversion laws, and anti-riot laws.
Party’s National General Secretary and State In-charge Dushyant Gautam elaborated on the campaign, which will run from 20 April to 5 May claiming that the freed Waqf lands would be utilised to construct PM housing for poor Muslim women and develop facilities such as hospitals, educational institutions, and community centres. Gautam also discussed the legal, social, and political aspects of the Waqf Amendment, describing it as a transformative step in national and public interest.
The workshop, conducted under the supervision of State General Secretary Aditya Kothari, aimed to raise awareness among the Muslim community about the revolutionary changes brought about by the amendment. Dhami praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in implementing historic reforms, including the abrogation of Article 370 from Kashmir, the construction of the Ram Temple, and the Triple Talaq Bill. He assured that the Waqf Amendment Act would uphold religious freedom while ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of Waqf properties.
Dhami criticised the opposition leaders for failing to utilise Waqf properties worth crores of rupees for the welfare of the poor. He called upon BJP workers to disseminate detailed information about the amendment to counter the opposition’s politics of confusion and fear. He revealed that approximately 5,700 Waqf properties are registered in Uttarakhand, and their records will be thoroughly verified to prevent encroachments.
On this occasion, Gautam reiterated BJP’s commitment to building a strong and united India, citing the party’s efforts to correct past mistakes made by Congress governments in 2013 and 1995. He assured that freed Waqf lands would be used for the welfare of the poor, with a focus on providing housing for Muslim women and developing community facilities.
The workshop featured two sessions. The inaugural session witnessed CM Dhami discussing the government’s role in the amendment while, during the second session, Dushyant Gautam addressed its legal and social implications.
State General Secretary, Organisation, Ajay Kumar outlined the campaign’s objectives and urged participants to take the message of reform to the grassroots level.
Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams also shared information regarding misuse of Waqf properties in the past in the state, including encroachments and claims on government and private lands. He also mentioned similar issues in states like Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, where Congress leaders and Waqf officials were involved in encroachments.
The workshop witnessed participation of prominent BJP leaders and office bearers, including Rajya Sabha MP Kalpana Saini, State Vice President Mukesh Koli, Kuldeep Kumar, Shailendra Bisht, Minority Front President Intezaar Hussain, MLA Khajan Das, BJP Office Secretary Kustubhanand Joshi, Lal Batti holders Meera Raturi and Pushkar Kala and senior party leaders including Jogendra Pundir, Rajendra Singh Negi, Vinod Suyal, Madhu Bhatt, Sunita Vidyarthi, Honey Pathak, Kamlesh Raman, and Gaurav Pandey.
Interestingly, some of the Muslim women invited for the workshop openly opposed the amendments to the Waqf Act claiming that this would harm the community. Later senior BJP leaders intervened and took the protesting women outside the workshop hall. Speaking to media persons, the BJP leaders claimed that some of the women had been deliberately misled by people with vested interests from their community, but the BJP would continue to interact with the community and try its best to clear the doubts.
