Thane (Maharashtra) [India], April 22 (ANI): Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske on Monday stated that the Waqf Act is about regulating national property and not interfering with Muslim religious rights.

Naresh Mhaske also accused the opposition of spreading misinformation, and said that the amendment aims to benefit poor Muslims.

Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske said, 'Making laws is the work of Parliament. If any law is made against the Constitution, the court has the right to raise objections. I don't know what Nishikant Dubey said... Some people, including Imams and certain Muslim organisations, have approached the Supreme Court claiming that the Centre has violated Articles 25 to 28, and 29 to 30, and that their religious freedom has been infringed upon. That's why the issue is being heard in the Supreme Court... However, the government maintains that it has not violated any such provisions... Article 29 pertains to educational institutions, and Article 30 to cultural ones. The Waqf Board is not an educational or cultural institution -- it deals with property... Hence, we have the right to legislate on this. We are not interfering with anyone's religion or rituals.'

He further added, 'The opposition is spreading misinformation that this is against the Muslim community... This concerns national property that currently lacks proper legal regulation in the Constitution. We are amending the law to ensure that poor people from the Muslim community benefit. That's why we believe we have the right to make laws. And the government has stated this clearly before the Supreme Court.'

His comments come in response to the controversy surrounding Nishikant Dubey's recent statements, where Dubey accused the Supreme Court of overstepping its authority. He alleged that the apex court was 'inciting religious wars' and questioned its authority, even suggesting that the Parliament building should be shut down if the court continues making laws.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed by Parliament during the budget session of Parliament. (ANI)