Jamshedpur, Apr 3 (PTI) Former Jharkhand chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday slammed the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) for adopting an anti-tribal stance by opposing and voting against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

JMM's anti-tribal approach became evident after it opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and voted against it in the Lok Sabha even though it was passed in the Lower House, the senior BJP leader said at a press conference here.

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Despite several important amendments related to Jharkhand were incorporated into the Bill, Das questioned JMM's intentions.

He emphasised that once the Bill becomes law, it will help protect tribal land, tribal culture and constitutional provisions.

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Waqf properties cannot be declared under Schedule 5 and Schedule 6 in tribal areas, BJP leader claimed.

Das accused the JMM of falling into the trap of Congress's appeasement politics, misleading the tribal community by presenting itself as a party dedicated to protecting their interests.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government has included provisions in the Bill to safeguard the interests of tribals, including their land. Yet, JMM opposed and voted against it," he alleged.

"Does JMM and its leader Hemant Soren want tribal areas, including land, to be declared as Waqf, thereby violating the 5th Schedule of the Constitution, which protects the original culture and constitutional rights of tribals?" he questioned.

"The construction and expansion of cemeteries, mausoleums, mosques and dargahs in scheduled areas are completely contrary to the original culture of the tribals and the presence of Waqf properties in these areas of the state was against the fundamental spirit of the Constitution," he added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)