West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee says ‘this bill has been brought in for political reasons’

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that the Waqf amendment bill is an attack on the country’s federal structure. She claimed that the bill would take away the rights of Muslims.

Speaking in the state assembly, Banerjee said: “The Centre did not consult us on this bill. This bill is an attack on Muslims and we don’t support it. We will protest against it. Various communities including non-Muslims donate to Waqf properties and funds are used for welfare and developmental works, such as setting up schools, building homes, giving scholarships, etc. Rights of Muslims will be snatched by the Waqf bill… I think this (bill) has been done for political reasons.”