BJP MLA Dr. Bharath Shetty has strongly criticized the Karnataka state government’s recent resolution opposing the amendment to the Waqf Board, calling it a move aimed at appeasing the Muslim vote bank. Shetty emphasized that the issue does not fall under the purview of the state government and accused the ruling party of playing “vote bank politics.”
In his remarks, Shetty expressed concern over the government’s position on the Waqf Board amendment, which seeks to bring greater transparency and accountability to the management of Waqf properties. “It’s a bad development, though it doesn’t come in the purview of the state government,” he said. Shetty argued that the state government’s actions were politically motivated, stating that the resolution passed by the Karnataka Assembly was merely an attempt to gain favor with Muslim voters.
“The state government just wants to make a statement to appease this vote bank, the Muslim vote bank. So it has just brought in a resolution from the assembly, saying that we are against any changes to the Waqf Board being brought into parliament, and that should not be done,” Shetty added. The BJP MLA’s comments reflect ongoing tensions between the Congress-led state government and the central government over the management and regulation of Waqf properties.
The Central Government’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to bring more transparency to the Waqf Board’s functioning, has been met with opposition from some state governments, including Karnataka, which has voiced concerns about the potential implications of centralizing control over religious properties. Critics argue that such measures could undermine local religious autonomy.
As the debate continues, Shetty’s statement underscores the broader political divide over the Waqf issue, with the BJP accusing the state government of prioritizing political interests over the larger public good. The controversy is expected to intensify as the state prepares for the 2026 elections, with both sides using the Waqf issue to rally support among their respective constituencies.
