New Delhi, April 03: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused the BJP of relying on communal politics, asserting that its entire strategy revolves around “Pakistan, Musalman, and Khalistan.”
Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Badal questioned the BJP’s sudden interest in Muslim affairs. “A party whose politics is built on Hindu-Muslim polarization, whose discourse always revolves around Pakistan, Musalman, and Khalistan—how did they suddenly decide to judiciously utilize Muslims’ money?” she asked.
The Lok Sabha passed the bill early Thursday morning with a 288-232 vote after a 12-hour discussion. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju later tabled the legislation in the Rajya Sabha.
Badal criticized the BJP for not having a single Muslim MP in the Lok Sabha while opposition parties, with 24 Muslim parliamentarians, opposed the bill. She pointed to political calculations behind the legislation, referencing a report on Waqf asset management that identified 27% of Waqf land in Uttar Pradesh, where elections are approaching.
“If the government truly cares about minorities, it should amend Article 25B of the Constitution,” she said. “Sikhs have long demanded this change. We are Sikhs, not Hindus, but you refuse to recognize our identity. If you introduce a bill addressing our concerns, we will support it.”
Challenging the BJP’s commitment to minority representation, Badal suggested appointing two Muslim members to the Ram Temple Trust. She alleged the bill was a pretext to seize Muslim assets. “You have a history of taking control of institutions, from Nanded and Hazoor Sahib Gurdwaras to Patna Sahib, and now you’re trying to manipulate the SGPC,” she said.
Accusing the BJP of divisive tactics, Badal labeled it the real “tukde-tukde” gang. “This is classic divide-and-rule, bulldozer politics. You are now splitting Muslims into Shias and Sunnis. You’ve done the same with Sikhs,” she said.
Responding to Badal, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu accused both the Congress and SAD of siding with those who had killed Sikh Gurus. “All 10 Sikh Gurus sacrificed their lives for Hindus. Yet, the Congress and SAD defend the Mughals who killed them,” Bittu said.
In a social media post, he further mocked Badal and Punjab Congress chief Raja Warring, stating, “It seems the spirit of Aurangzeb has possessed them, as they now stand with the Mughals.”
