The TVK government’s Minister for Minorities Welfare, IUML’s SM Nasar Shahjahan, has claimed that the newly enacted Waqf Amendment Act will not be implemented in the state, a statement that has raised questions over the authority of a state government to refuse implementation of a law passed by Parliament.
Speaking at a government reception organised at Chennai Airport to welcome Hajj pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia, Shahjahan asserted that the new Waqf Act had not been implemented in Tamil Nadu and would not be implemented in the future either.
The event was attended by officials of the Tamil Nadu Hajj Committee, the Waqf Board and senior government functionaries to receive pilgrims returning after completing the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Addressing the gathering, Shahjahan highlighted the arrangements made for pilgrims and said, “On behalf of the Tamil Nadu Hajj Committee, excellent arrangements were made for the pilgrims this year; the first flight carrying those who have completed their holy journey has arrived today.”
He added, “To welcome these returning pilgrims on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, the Minister of the Department, the Chairman of the Waqf Board, and senior government officials have gathered here.”
According to the minister, 6,295 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu had undertaken the Hajj pilgrimage this year and were returning through 16 flights scheduled to arrive over the course of the month.
He stated, “This year, 6,295 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu undertook the Hajj pilgrimage and are returning successfully today. They are scheduled to return via 16 flights. The first of these flights has landed today. Starting today, the flights will arrive one by one until the 29th of this month.”
Shahjahan also referred to the ‘Ummah’ portal, through which Waqf property details are being uploaded, and claimed that officials and mosque administrators had been making efforts to complete the process despite difficulties.
“Regarding the ‘Ummah’ portal, officials have uploaded property details to the best of their ability, despite various challenges involved in the process; many mosque administrators have also uploaded the relevant information,” he said.
The minister further stated that the state government was seeking additional time for uploading details and reiterated the government’s opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act.
“We are taking steps to extend the deadline and facilitate the uploading of any details that were initially missed. We have opposed the measure, and on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government and the department, we will certainly file an appeal regarding this matter,” he said.
He also declared that the state government would seek legal recourse on the issue.
“Similarly, regarding the Waqf Amendment Act, we intend to continuously pass resolutions opposing the government’s move and objecting to several of its provisions,” Shahjahan said.
The remarks have drawn attention because the Waqf Amendment Act is a law enacted by Parliament, and questions remain over how a state government can categorically declare that a central law “will not be implemented” within its territory.
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