New Delhi [India], April 16 (ANI): Amid heightened tensions over the Waqf Amendment Act, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asking her whether she has issues over women being given representation in the Waqf board.

He further asked Banerjee whether she had a problem with 'backward' Muslims being given a seat in the Waqf board.

'I want to raise some big questions for Mamata Banerjee. First, if women are being given a place in the Waqf Board, in the centre, and all the states, do you have a problem with that? Second, if backward Muslims are getting representation in the Waqf Board, do you have a problem with that?' Prasad said while addressing a presser.

Moreover, Prasad questioned Banerjee's opposition to the Waqf Act, asking her if she had issues with fixing accountability and honesty in cases, where the lands of poor Muslims were being 'snatched' illegally in the name of Waqf.

'Third, if accountability and honesty are being fixed in the case of the lands of poor Muslims being snatched illegally in the name of Waqf, do you have a problem with that? Mamata Banerjee, please answer these big questions,' Prasad said. His remarks come days after Banerjee cleared her government's position, saying that the newly amended Waqf Act would not be implemented in West Bengal.

'We have made our position clear on this matter - we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state,' Banerjee posted on X earlier.

Reacting to this, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday said that it was a law passed by the centre, which must be implemented by all states without exception.

Amid rising protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, prominent Muslim clerics and religious leaders from across the state began arriving at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium on Wednesday to attend a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The gathering comes in response to growing discontent within the Muslim community, who have voiced concerns over the Act's implications on Waqf properties. The meeting is expected to address the community's grievances and chart a way forward. (ANI)