Shiv Sena Deputy Leader and Spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam launched a sharp attack on Sena (UBT) on Wednesday, accusing the party of compromising its principles for Muslim votes by opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, which was introduced in Parliament.
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Nirupam stated that while all NDA allies, including Shiv Sena, supported the bill, opposition parties were attempting to derail it under the pretext of secularism. He claimed that the Sena (UBT) is divided on the issue.
“There are internal differences among Sena (UBT)’s nine MPs regarding the bill. Some, who still uphold the ideology of Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray, are inclined to support it. Until late last night, intense discussions were ongoing within the party,” Nirupam said.
However, he asserted that the Sena (UBT) will ultimately oppose the bill due to its political dependence on Muslim votes.
Double standards on display
Nirupam criticized Sena (UBT)’s inconsistent stance, stating: “When the bill was first introduced, Sena (UBT) MPs avoided the discussion. Now, the real test begins—will Uddhav Thackeray, who claims to uphold Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy, oppose the much-needed reforms and take an anti-Balasaheb stance?”
He further questioned whether the Sena (UBT) had fully embraced Congress’s vote bank agenda, abandoning its Hindutva identity in favour of appeasement politics.
Opposition spreading misinformation among Muslims
Nirupam also slammed the opposition parties for misleading the Muslim community about the bill. He explained that the Sachar Commission, which examined the economic and social conditions of Muslims, had itself recommended transparency in Waqf Board operations.
“The Waqf Board controls over 9 lakh properties across India, including 2.3 crore acres of land—covering historic sites like the Taj Mahal, Charminar, and Jama Masjid, along with lakhs of dargahs, mosques, madrasas, shops, and tombs. Transparent management of these assets is crucial,” he said.
Despite these vast resources, the Waqf Board still depends on government subsidies to pay salaries. Nirupam highlighted that ₹12,000 crore in annual income could be generated from Waqf properties, which should be used for the welfare of poor Muslims.
“This bill is essential to ensure accountability and transparency in the Waqf Board’s financial operations. It will help assess its assets and financial status realistically,” he emphasized.
