AMRITSAR: State spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala said that said that the Waqf Amendment Bill is a matter of national interest, there is no interference in the religious affairs of Islam or mosques etc., so there is no question of hurting anyone's religious sentiment.
In a, statement here today, he questioned the Congress that if this bill is an attack on the basic structure of the Constitution, then on what basis have they made the Act in this regard in 1995 and other amendments in 2013?
Prof. Sarchand Singh said that When the SGPC President raised a question about the government making rules for Sikh soldiers to wear ‘helmets’, Sarchand Singh gave a firm reply and said that they need to refrain from misleading the Sikh community on the issue of the proposed ‘combat headgear’. In the Sikh tradition, there has been a tradition of wearing ‘iron helmets’ during war or on the battlefield, about which there are authentic references. There is evidence about the historical prevalence of steel helmets in the writing of the Panth approved Bhai Rattan Singh Bhangu, ‘Pracheen Panth Prakash’. Where, while describing a duel, it is clearly written, ‘Sukha Singh also ordered Sanjoy Mangayo.. Dast Dastane Sir Top Tikaiyo.’
Prof. Sarchand Singh, in the Lok Sabha, said that Mrs. Badal's comments against Muslims of Akali Dal Badal's Member of Parliament Biba Harsimrat Kaur Badal were politically motivated, he said that Sikhs are neither in danger from the central government nor the Shiromani Committee is in danger. In fact, the danger is to the political career of the Badals. Mrs. Badal is speaking the language of Congress and India Bloc by making baseless allegations against BJP. Neither the central government wants to grab the properties of the Waqf nor does it want to distribute them as per its wish. All this is being done for justice and the welfare of the Muslim community.
He said that there is no threat to the Sikh community or religion or identity. Akali leaders should refrain from creating a rift between Hindus and Sikhs.
He said that Mrs. Badal should know that there is no non-Sikh member in the Shiromani Committee, the religious body of Sikhs, then there was no point in making a statement about nominating Muslims in the management committee of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. There should have been no attempt to create bitterness among different communities.
Prof. Sarchand Singh took a dig at SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami for calling the Waqf Amendment Bill affecting minorities and direct interference in religious matters.
He questioned the Uniform Civil Code for calling it an attempt to suppress minorities, saying does not Gurbani give equal status and message to everyone? UCC is a practical or civil code, not a religious code, due to which there can be no threat to the religious beliefs, existence and identity of different communities, nor can there be any harm to religious customs, values, traditions and culture. Uniform citizenship is definitely a step towards strengthening national unity.
Prof. Sarchand Singh said that now the participation of not only Shias and Sunnis but also backward classes and women has been ensured in the Waqf Board.
Talking about the Waqf Act made by the Congress, Prof. Sarchand Singh said that if the Waqf declares anyone's land as its property, then the onus of proving it was not on the Waqf but on the actual owner of the land to show how his land is not Waqf's. All the documents and evidence had to be given to the claimant.
He said that everyone should get equal rights. But for the majority Hindus, there is secular law, but for Muslims, there is religious law, Muslim Personal Law, which includes exemption from polygamy and even violation of women's rights like triple talaq.