Kerala Waqf Bill Row: Revenue Minister Rajeeve Accuses VD Satheesan of Misleading Public Over Supreme Court Remarks

Kerala CM Under Fire for Allegedly Misleading Public The controversy over Kerala’s Waqf amendment Bill has taken a fresh turn, with the state’s Revenue Minister, Rajeeve, hitting out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s predecessor, P.J. Kurien no it is Satheesan, for what he claims is her false claim regarding the Supreme Court’s verdict on the contentious legislation. Speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Minister Rajeeve expressed dismay at Satheesan’s comments, which he alleged were in line with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s stance on the contentious bill.

Rajeeve claimed that the Chief Minister was attempting to create confusion among the public by echoing the central government’s stand on the issue. Satheesan is trying to create confusion by stating that the Supreme Court rejected petitions against the Waqf amendment Bill, which is a factually incorrect claim, the Minister stated. He added that the Chief Minister was speaking like a spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party in attempting to justify the central government’s stance on the matter.

The Waqf amendment Bill, which has sparked heated debates among the Muslim community and its allies, was passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in February this year. Despite the opposition from sections of the community, the government has maintained that the legislation aimed at making the Waqf an more efficient and transparent institution. Critics, however, have contended that the bill undermined the institution’s core principles, with some arguing it would lead to the inclusion of non-Muslims on the committee managing the Waqf.

In response to the controversy, the CPI(M) politburo member and state party ary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, backed Minister Rajeeve’s claims. The Chief Minister is not just speaking out of sync with the CPI(M), she’s aligning herself with the central government’s stand on this matter, he stated in Kochi. Balakrishnan accused the central government of having imposed its decision on the Kerala Chief Minister on the Waqf reform bill..

Minister Rajeeve argued that the SC’s rejection of petitions challenging the Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2014, as reported last month and in March 2022 and March,2023 does NOT indicate rejection for Kerala Bill. While the Supreme Court did indeed reject petitions challenging the Centre’s 2014 bill, that verdict does not apply to Kerala’s Waqf amendment Bill, which is a standalone piece of legislation, he contended. Critics of the government have argued that Kerala’s amendment bill would also allow for the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf administration, effectively opening up the institution to outsiders..

The CPI(M) has faced opposition from within the Muslim community for its support to the Kerala bill. We are not opposing the reform of the Waqf, but we cannot accept the Centre’s bill or the Kerala government’s stance, which undermines the institution’s core principles, said Kerala Muslim League General ary Abdul Rasheed. The CPI(M)’s move to push through the bill despite opposition is a betrayal of the party’s promise to safeguard Muslim rights, Abdul Rasheed alleged..

Rajeev has demanded the CM Satheesan must come clear on the SC verdict, stating It is unacceptable that a Chief Minister would speak in a way that could mislead the public on such an important issue, Rajeev stated, reiterating calls for clarity from the Chief Minister on the matter. The CPI(M) has maintained that it has the support of the community on the matter, while opposition parties have claimed the government’s actions would lead to erosion of trust between the Muslims and the CPI(M). A section within the party has, however, taken a different stance on the Waqf issue.

A prominent CPI(M) leader from North Kerala, P.T. Rajan, recently told the media that the party was united in its support for the Kerala government’s decision on the Waqf and that the government’s stance reflected the party’s commitment to promoting communal harmony. The controversy over the Waqf bill has taken a toll on the CPI-M in Kerala, particularly within the Muslim community, who are critical of the government’s decision..

Many have pointed out that the bill’s approval and CM Satheesan’s alleged stance could be viewed negatively by Muslim voters ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Meanwhile, a recent survey has highlighted growing disillusionment within the CPI(M) over the Waqf issue. While the party enjoys significant support from the Muslim community in Kerala, this survey indicates erosion in that support..

The study noted that the party’s stance on the Waqf bill could be a major factor in the community’s growing disenchantment with the CPI-M. CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s office has remained silent on the controversy, with officials refusing to comment on the matter. However, sources close to the Chief Minister indicate that she is unlikely to make any move to address Rajeev’s allegations, at least until the situation cools down..

Critics have also accused the government of using the controversy over the Waqf issue to deflect attention from the economic struggles faced by Kerala’s Muslim community. The government’s stance on the Waqf issue has led to a huge debate on social media and in the media, but when it comes to addressing real issues like poverty and unemployment, the government is inordinately quiet, said Kerala Congress (Mani) leader P.J. The controversy over the Waqf bill highlights the complex web of interests and alliances involved in Kerala’s politics..

The debate over the institution has pitted the CPI(M) against its traditional allies in the Muslim community, and it remains to be seen whether the party can recover the lost ground..