Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced in the State Assembly on April 3, 2025, that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Supreme Court. The Bill, passed in the Lok Sabha after a 12-hour debate that extended past midnight on April 2, has been widely criticized for its potential impact on religious harmony and the minority Muslim community. Stalin recalled that the Tamil Nadu Assembly had previously passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the Bill, emphasizing that the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, would undermine the autonomy of the Waqf Board. He also pointed out that despite opposition from many political parties, the Bill was passed with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, indicating strong resistance to the legislation.
Calling the passage of the Bill an attack on the Constitution, Stalin accused the ruling party of pushing forward a divisive agenda with the help of coalition partners. He stated that the DMK, along with other political parties in Tamil Nadu, would continue to fight for the Bill’s withdrawal. As a mark of protest, DMK MLAs, their allies, and cabinet ministers attended the Assembly proceedings wearing black badges. Meanwhile, BJP MLAs staged a walkout in response to Stalin’s speech, opposing his stance. The AIADMK, Tamil Nadu’s principal opposition party, supported the Chief Minister’s call to oppose the Bill and joined in raising slogans demanding its repeal.
Reacting to Stalin’s announcement, BJP State president K. Annamalai accused the DMK of political theatrics aimed at securing its minority vote bank. In a social media post, he argued that the previous Waqf law had impacted not just Hindus but also Christians, and accused the DMK of misleading the public for electoral gains. Annamalai further alleged that the ruling party would use this issue as a campaign strategy for the 2026 Assembly and 2029 Parliamentary elections. However, the DMK remains firm in its position, vowing to challenge the Bill legally and politically to safeguard minority rights.
