BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi on 3 April 2025 defended the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating that it was introduced for the benefit of poor Muslims while accusing opposition parties of indulging in appeasement politics.
Participating in the discussion on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Trivedi argued that the government’s support for underprivileged Muslims would be recognized in the future. “This fight is between Sharafat Ali and Shararat Khan. Our government is standing with Sharafat Ali, and we are with poor Muslims,” he said. He further claimed that the government had chosen to stand with ordinary Muslims rather than so-called fanatic and fundamentalist thekedars (leaders).
Trivedi criticized the Congress, alleging that the party selectively supports minorities based on electoral considerations. He referenced disputes involving the Catholic Church and Muslim bodies over land, questioning why Waqf Board land claims were legitimized under previous governments while similar claims from Sikhs and Hindus were not addressed.
He also commented on the changing image of the Muslim community, lamenting that it was once represented by great artists and intellectuals. “When we gained independence, who were the representatives of the Muslim community? Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Fariduddin Dagar, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali, Ustad Zakir Hussain who passed away recently, Hasrat Jaipuri, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi, Sahir Ludhianvi, and Jigar Muradabadi. But what has happened now?” he asked.
Trivedi then compared this past legacy with the present, saying, “Earlier the Muslim community was linked to these stalwarts. But today, the leadership of the Muslim community is with the likes of – Israt Jahaan, Yakub Menon, Mukhtar Ansari, Atiq Ahmed, Dawood Ibrahim. Who is doing this? This is happening since the country became secular… since 1976. And secular administration began. It has led them to their state today.”
His remarks were met with strong objections from opposition leaders, including Fauzia Khan (NCP-SCP), Jairam Ramesh (Congress), Digvijay Singh (Congress), and especially MDMK leader Vaiko.
At this moment, Home Minister Amit Shah intervened and jokingly said, “Vaikoji understands Hindi” leading to peals of laughter across the board.
https://twitter.com/Cric_gal/status/1907896789811777903
(With inputs from Deccan Herald)
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