Tamil Nadu : BJP Chief K Annamalai calls DMK's Waqf Bill protest in the assembly "predictable misadventure"

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 3 (ANI): Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai on Thursday said the ruling party DMK protest in the state assembly today against the Waqf Bill, is a "predictable misadventure" aimed at appeasing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK's) minority vote bank.

Taking to the social media platform X, Annamalai said, "DMK's misadventure in the assembly today, which includes the DMK alliance MLAs wearing black badges and Thiru @mkstalin proclaiming they will challenge the Waqf Bill in the Supreme Court, is, of late, becoming extremely predictable"
Annamalai strongly criticised the ruling party for using the assembly as a platform for "political theatrics," stating that the Waqf law has affected not just Hindus but also Christians in Tamil Nadu.

He wrote," All this drama is to save a portion of their minority vote bank. Has the TN CM not realised that it is not just Hindus but also Christians who are the affected parties due to the previous Waqf law? Kindly don't use the assembly for your theatrics, Thiru @mkstalin."
"Their follow-up drama would be for DMK to hire someone next year before the elections to write a book titled "Appa's Efforts to Oppose the 2025 Waqf Bill." DMK will make this an election plank and misguide innocent Muslims in the 2026 assembly and 2029 parliament elections. DMK only knows to Deceive & Divide," the post added on X.
Earlier today, Chief Minister M K Stalin, along with other DMK MLAs, wore black badges during the Assembly session as a mark of protest against the Waqf Board Amendment Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Stalin asserted that the bill, despite facing widespread opposition, was passed at 2 AM with the support of alliance parties, calling it an 'attack on Indian democracy.'
CM Stalin further asserted, "Despite facing massive opposition, this bill has been passed in the Lok Sabha. The Union government's decision to overlook the Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution and the views of major political parties across the nation is a direct violation of democracy and federalism. This assembly will not accept it. Therefore, I urge our members to raise their voices with me, and I request you, Speaker, to grant permission for it-- 'Get back, get back, get back Waqf Amendment Bill.'"
On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate, during which members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards.
The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the division's result: "Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal," he said.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)