Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda on Sunday clarified that the Central government does not intend to take control of Waqf Boards but simply wants them to function within the framework of the law.
Speaking at an event held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi to mark the party’s 46th Foundation Day, Nadda emphasized that the purpose is to ensure the proper utilization of Waqf assets for the benefit of the Muslim community, especially in the areas of education, healthcare, and employment.
“Our aim is not to take over the Waqf Boards,” Nadda said. “We are only insisting that those managing these institutions follow the law and adhere to the established regulations.
The properties and funds belonging to Waqf should be used to empower the Muslim community through better educational opportunities, access to healthcare, and employment generation.”
He further noted that countries such as Turkey and many other Muslim-majority nations have brought Waqf properties under direct government supervision. In contrast, India is simply advocating for aule-based administration.
Ahead of his speech, Nadda hoisted the party flag at the headquarters in the presence of senior party leaders, Members of Parliament, and Delhi BJP President Rekha Gupta.
Reflecting on the BJP’s long political journey since its roots in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh founded in 1951, Nadda said the party’s rise to become the largest political party in the world has been driven by its consistent adherence to its ideology.
He contrasted this with the Congress party, which, according to him, has declined over time due to ideological inconsistency.
Highlighting the BJP’s current political strength, Nadda said, “Today, the BJP has 240 elected representatives in the Lok Sabha, over 98 members in the Rajya Sabha, and more than 1,600 MLAs across the country.
We recently concluded a membership drive, and our total membership has now crossed 13.5 crore. Over 10 lakh of our workers are actively involved in party activities.”
He asserted that the BJP is the only political party in India that has witnessed what he termed “scientific growth,” crediting the party’s structured approach to both organizational development and electoral success.
“Building a strong organization and winning elections isn’t just art—it’s a science. Even our critics in Parliament acknowledge our strength, even while they mock us. They admit that we are the world’s largest political party,” he remarked.
Nadda also reiterated the BJP’s commitment to promoting India’s cultural heritage and traditional values. He cited the construction of the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya as a landmark achievement under the BJP government.
Criticizing the Congress for what he described as “appeasement politics,” Nadda recalled the Shah Bano case during the tenure of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
“Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Muslim women’s rights, the Congress government surrendered to pressure and failed to act decisively,” he said.
In contrast, he said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership brought about significant reforms such as the abolition of triple talaq, which he described as a step toward the liberation and empowerment of Muslim women.
Nadda also referred to the Modi government’s decision to provide Indian citizenship to those fleeing religious persecution in neighboring countries like Pakistan.
“We’ve committed to shedding the colonial mindset,” he said, referencing the renaming of Rajpath to Kartavya Path and the installation of a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose near India Gate as symbols of India’s renewed national identity.