Badruddin Ajmal claims Parliament complex, most areas of Delhi under Waqf land

AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal sparked a controversy after claiming that the Parliament building and its surrounding areas in Delhi were built on Waqf property. Ajmal’s remarks were called out by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who said India had the “largest Waqf properties” and they should be utilised for the welfare of women and children of the Muslim community.
Speaking to reporters, the Dhubri MP from Assam also claimed that the area around Vasant Vihar, which houses over 50 diplomatic missions of foreign countries, extending to the Delhi airport has been built on Waqf property.
“The Parliament building is also part of Waqf property. Even the airport was constructed on Waqf land. It is wrong to use Waqf land without permission. Their government will soon fall over this Waqf board issue,” Ajmal said.
Reacting to the Assam MP’s remark, Kiren Rijiju appealed to all MPs to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
“Parliament and municipal buildings, airports, cities and villages need protection. India has the largest Waqf properties in the world. We must use them for the welfare of women, children and backward groups within the Muslim community,” Rijiju tweeted.
Ajmal’s remark comes at a time when the Waqf bill is being examined by a joint parliamentary committee (JPC). The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled by the Centre on July 28. However, it saw strong objections from opposition parties.
The legislation aims to restrict the authority of Waqf boards to designate any property or area as “waqf property”.