Kiren Rijiju Defends Waqf Amendment Bill, Says Opposition from 'Powerful Muslim Voices' Doesn't Matter

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who currently holds charge of both the Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs ministries, made headlines during a candid conversation at The Indian Express's Idea Exchange session. Defending the Waqf Amendment Bill, which has stirred considerable debate within and outside Parliament, Rijiju maintained that “those opposing Waqf are powerful voices among the Muslims… We are not bothered about them.”

In a wide-ranging conversation moderated by Liz Mathew, Deputy Editor at The Indian Express, Rijiju touched upon issues of national security, religious reform, and media narratives, particularly the perception of India as “intolerant” in some Western liberal media circles.

Waqf Amendment Bill: 'A Needed Correction, Not a Target'

Rijiju, a four-time MP from Arunachal Pradesh, spearheaded the Waqf Amendment Bill, which critics argue diminishes the powers of Waqf Boards across states. The Bill, passed in the recently concluded Parliament session, aims to regulate Waqf land management with what the government claims is “greater transparency and accountability.”

However, Muslim groups and opposition parties have expressed serious reservations, calling it an attempt to weaken religious institutions of the minority community.

Rijiju dismissed such criticism:

"The ones making the most noise are not the common Indian Muslims. They are influential, politically connected figures who have benefited from the previous unchecked Waqf system. We are not interested in appeasement politics. We are interested in reforms.”

Not Backing Down: “We Are Not Bothered”

Perhaps his most pointed remark came when Liz Mathew asked about the rising opposition to the bill, particularly from within the community the ministry is supposed to serve. Rijiju replied bluntly:

“Those opposing the Waqf bill are the powerful voices among the Muslims… We are not bothered about them.”

This statement is likely to generate further controversy, especially among religious leaders and activists who accuse the government of marginalizing Muslim institutions under the guise of reform.

On the Pahalgam Terror Attack

Turning to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which shocked the nation and left multiple security personnel and civilians dead, Rijiju emphasized that national security remains the top priority.

"Terrorism has no religion. These cowardly acts are meant to destabilize our unity. We will respond firmly and decisively," he said.

He added that Kashmir’s integration and developmental outreach remain integral to the government's agenda and vowed that such attacks would not deter ongoing efforts.

Western Liberal Media and the 'Intolerant India' Narrative

When asked about the growing perception in Western liberal media — particularly in the US and UK — that India is turning intolerant, Rijiju was dismissive:

“These are legacy media outlets with biases rooted in colonial hangovers. India has never been more democratic. We have one of the most diverse societies in the world. What is happening is a global power shift, and some in the West can’t digest a strong, unapologetic India.”

Rijiju also claimed that much of this criticism stems from domestic opposition parties lobbying with international actors.

“The intolerance narrative is a politically motivated export, not a reflection of ground reality.”

Liberalism vs Reform

Addressing the larger philosophical battle between liberalism and reform, Rijiju said that while liberal thought had its place, it should not be an excuse to block or delay much-needed change.

“There is a difference between liberalism and inertia. Some people have used the guise of secularism and liberalism to stall necessary reforms — especially those that affect religious bodies.”

What’s Next for the Ministry of Minority Affairs?

Rijiju concluded by saying the ministry is working on multiple fronts, including modernizing madrasas, improving minority scholarships, and cracking down on mismanagement in religious trusts — not just Waqf.

He stressed the importance of "mainstreaming minorities into the national growth story" rather than isolating them with identity-based appeasement.