Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 17 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a veiled attack against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing them of being "against Muslims" but receiving their hospitality in West Asian countries.
"You are against Muslims, but in Saudi Arabia, you meet Muslims... If you go to Dubai, UAE, whose hospitality do you take there... You say one thing in your country and another outside," Banerjee said while addressing the gathering in a meeting with Muslim clerics.
She further appealed to the INDIA bloc to "stay united and fight together" against the Waqf Amendment Act, whose passage has witnessed strong objections and protests from the Opposition.
"I will appeal to the INDIA bloc: let us stay united and fight together courageously. This is not a personal matter; it will affect everyone. Today, it is happening against you. Tomorrow, it will be against someone else. Now they want to bring UCC," the West Bengal Chief Minister said.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated that it may pass interim order to stay certain key provisions of the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and also expressed concern over violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices PV Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan said, "The one thing is very disturbing the violence that is taking place. The issue is before the court and we will decide."
The bench didn't pass any order but suggested that may stay certain provision including the inclusion of non-Muslims in Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards, powers of collectors on deciding dispute over Waqf properties and provisions on de-notifying properties declared as waqf by courts.
The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Constitutional validity of Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
During the hearing, the bench said that it is considering passing an interim order which will balance equities.
President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was earlier passed by Parliament after heated debates in both Houses. (ANI)
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