“No Mosques Will Be Touched”: Ravi Shankar Prasad Defends Waqf Bill, Calls It Step Toward Transparency and Empowerment

In a strong defence of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, BJP MP and former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has assured that no mosques, graveyards, or religious places will be affected by the new legislation. Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Friday, he said the Bill is aimed at bringing transparency, accountability, and better governance to Waqf properties across India, while especially benefiting Muslim women and the marginalised.

“This Bill is not about religion—it’s about responsibility,” said Mr. Prasad. “The Waqf is a legal body, not a religious one. It’s time to ensure that the noble intentions of those who donated property for community welfare are being honored, not misused.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has now cleared both Houses of Parliament following intense debates. According to Mr. Prasad, it will digitise all Waqf properties, make data publicly accessible, and hold managers (Muttawalis) accountable for how the properties are used. “You’ll be able to see online where each property is, who’s managing it, and whether it’s being used for its intended purpose,” he explained.

Sharing personal observations from his hometown, Patna, he mentioned how prime Waqf land in the Dak Bungalow area has been taken over by commercial establishments like five-star hotels and showrooms. “When the intention was to serve the community, how did this happen? That’s what we’re fixing,” he added.

He stressed that the Bill aims to empower Muslim women and support widows and the underprivileged. “This will ensure that the community benefits from its own assets,” he noted.

When asked about the potential political backlash—especially with Bihar Assembly elections approaching and concerns over Nitish Kumar’s minority voter base—Mr. Prasad dismissed them. “These questions have been asked since 1996 when Nitish ji joined hands with us. The political landscape has transformed since then,” he said.

Referencing past protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, he added, “Not a single Muslim lost citizenship. Yet fear was spread. The same thing is being attempted again.”

Ravi Shankar Prasad concluded by emphasizing that young Indians, including those from minority communities, are embracing change. “India has moved forward. Our youth want empowerment, not appeasement. This Bill is a step in that direction.”

News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”