Owaisi Forces Out Waqf Bill Supporter: Islamist Intolerance?

Owaisi Forces Out Waqf Bill Supporter: Islamist Intolerance in JPC Meeting

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 has stirred a hornet’s nest in India, with political and religious leaders taking starkly opposing positions. On 28th September, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee were accused of forcibly removing Irfan Ali Parizade, a member of the Gulshan Foundation, from a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting in Mumbai. The controversy stems from Parizade’s vocal support for the bill, which he believes is crucial for better management of Waqf properties. Islamist

Heated Opposition to the Waqf Bill

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to streamline the administration of Waqf properties across India. Many Muslim organizations and scholars have fiercely opposed the bill, arguing that it undermines their religious and social rights. In contrast, institutions like the Gulshan Foundation view the bill as a necessary step toward transparency and accountability in Waqf dealings.

During the JPC meeting, various Muslim scholars and representatives voiced their opposition, but Parizade, representing the Gulshan Foundation, spoke in favor of the bill. This did not sit well with Owaisi and Banerjee, who allegedly signaled security guards to remove Parizade from the venue.

The Incident: Islamist Leaders Target Their Own

According to Parizade, the security guard who escorted him out whispered, “You are helping infidels, we will see you.” This accusation underscores the level of intimidation present even among members of the same community. The removal of Parizade, a Muslim, by Islamist leaders for expressing a differing opinion reflects the growing intolerance within certain factions.

Parizade later filed a complaint with the Mumbai Airport Police Station, accusing Owaisi and Banerjee of using threats and intimidation to silence him. The police have registered an FIR under sections of the Bharatiya Nayay Sanhita (BNS), including charges of inciting religious hatred and coercion.

Divisions Within the Muslim Community

The incident raises important questions about internal divisions within the Muslim community. While Owaisi and Banerjee champion their opposition to the bill as protecting the rights of Muslims, they are also suppressing voices from their own community who seek reform. Parizade’s removal from the meeting reveals the lengths some Islamist leaders will go to maintain control over the narrative.

This is not the first time such tensions have surfaced. The broader Muslim leadership, especially from parties like AIMIM and TMC, often claims to represent the interests of the entire community. However, incidents like this one show how dissent is not tolerated, even from within. Those who challenge the traditional power structures are cast aside, labeled as traitors to the cause.

A Broader Struggle for Control

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is not just about property management; it represents a struggle for control over resources and religious influence. Islamist leaders like Owaisi fear losing their hold over Waqf properties, which are critical for funding various Islamist activities. Those supporting the bill, like the Gulshan Foundation, argue that the current system is rife with corruption and inefficiency, and reforms are necessary to benefit the entire community.

By ousting Parizade, Owaisi, and Banerjee have shown that they are not open to debate or dialogue. Instead, they rely on intimidation to silence voices that advocate for change. This heavy-handed approach creates an atmosphere of fear and division, further alienating moderate voices within the Muslim community.

Islamists Turn on Their Own—and Kafirs Are Next

The way Islamist leaders treat dissenters within their ranks is a chilling reminder of how they deal with those outside their community. If they have no problem biting their own, it won’t be long before they set their sights on Kafirs (infidels). Parizade’s experience is a symptom of a larger issue: the intolerance of differing opinions in Islamist circles. Today, they silence fellow Muslims who seek reform. Tomorrow, they will come for those they see as outsiders.

The Indian government must remain vigilant against such divisive tactics. The Waqf Amendment Bill needs to be passed for the welfare of all of us and should end the unfair practice of double standards of secularism. Silencing dissent—whether through intimidation or force—has no place in a democratic society.