‘Waqf land can benefit poor Muslims if used properly,’ says Chirag Paswan; slams Oppn for 'spreading false narrative'

Union Minister Chirag Paswan at News18 Rising Bharat Summit

Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Wednesday said that the new Waqf Act was for the betterment of the Muslim community, and that the opposition was spreading a false narrative that the lands of Muslims will be taken away.

Addressing the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Paswan said the new law had opened a window for the Muslims to knock the doors of the judiciary for their grievances.

“Let time pass, and everything will be clear. The new amendments we have brought… a false narrative is being spread that we want to grab lands. The truth is that if the land that the Waqf Board has is used properly, then how many facilities can be created for poor Muslims.”

Paswan also said the new amendment had introduced the provision for Muslims to approach the judiciary with their grievances, unlike before.

"This very amendment helped them go the court today," Paswan said, referring to the batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The Supreme Court will take up the matter on April 15.

The Centre on Tuesday filed a caveat in the apex court and sought a hearing before any order was passed in the matter. Caveat is filed by a party in the high courts and the apex court to ensure that no orders are passed without hearing it.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, RJD MPs Manoj Jha and Faiyaz Ahmad, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan have also filed petitions in the apex court challenging the validity of the Act.

The law came into effect yesterday after being passed by the Parliament last week. Paswan's party -- LJP (Ram Vilas) -- backed the Bill, saying it is not against any religion or religious community but for managing properties to ensure the welfare of Muslims.

Unlike the JD(U), another regional party from Bihar, the LJP was more circumspect in its endorsement of the bill.