Uddhav Thackeray's dig at BJP's 'pro-Muslim' pitch for Waqf Bill: 'Would put Jinnah to shame'

Uddhav Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) president. (PTI)

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party over the Waqf Amendment Bill which the ruling party at the Centre has termed progressive and beneficial for the Muslim community.

Criticising the saffron party's stance on the Bill, which was passed after a marathon 12-hour debate in Lok Sabha in the early hours today, Uddhav said, "The concern shown by the BJP and its allies for Muslims would put Muhammad Ali Jinnah to shame."

Questioning the BJP government's priorities, Uddhav said that despite being in power for three terms at the Centre, the BJP was still raising "Hindu-Muslim issues" for political benefits.

Questioned about his own party's stand on the matter, Uddhav said that the Shiv Sena (UBT) was not opposed to the Bill per say, but was against any attempt by the BJP to "seize land" and "hand it over to his industrialist friends".

Slamming the BJP further, Uddhav said the party in power should remove the green colour from its flag if it truly disliked Muslims. "If the BJP really dislikes Muslims, it should remove the green colour from its (party) flag," he said.

The BJP has defended the Waqf Amendment Bill as a progressive legislation and dismissed concerns raised by the Opposition and religious groups of it being an "anti-Muslim" law.

The former Maharashtra CM also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and questione the Centre's handling of the US tariffs and said he should have informed the nation about the economic challenges and outlined measures to mitigate their impact.

"PM Modi should have told the country about the impending danger of US tariffs and steps being taken to mitigate it," Uddhav said.