Uddhav Sena (Shiv Sena UBT), the Uddhav Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena, voting against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 should come as no surprise to anyone who has been following Maharashtra politics. From giving up ‘Hindutva’ to ally with Congress for power to voting against the Waqf amendment, Uddhav Sena is going all out to appease Muslims.

Uddhav Sena votes against Waqf Amendment Bill

Among the 232 votes polled against the Waqf Amendment Bill were those of Uddhav Sena Members of Parliament (MPs). However, the justification given by Uddhav Thackeray for his party’s stance was atrocious to say the least. He said Uddhav Sena voted against the amendment to prevent ‘corruption’ and ‘land grab’ by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party).

“We are thankful to Uddhav Thackeray for his press conference. At least, we got to see how confused, lonely, and depressed he is. Sanjay Raut has achieved his objective. He can neither take a proper stance nor let go of sycophancy. He said kehna kya chahte ho (what do you want to say?). That is what Maharashtra’s public wants you to answer,” BJP State President Chandrasekhar Bawankule said in his counterattack on Thackeray.

Uddhav Thackeray attacked the BJP, saying it was ironic that Kiren Rijiju, who supports eating beef, was the one to table the bill. However, the explanation he gave for endorsing the bill is probably the strangest one that would ever be heard from a politician.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday (April 3) stated that his party voted against the Waqf bill in Parliament to oppose what he called the BJP-led NDA government’s “ploy” to “seize land and hand it over to industrialist allies.”

“We opposed the bill to expose the BJP’s hypocrisy and their real intention of land grabbing,” Thackeray said. He further challenged the BJP, remarking, “If they dislike Muslims, they should remove the green color from their party flag.”

Questioning the BJP’s accusations, Thackeray said, “If this is about appeasing Muslims, then who abandoned Hindutva—the BJP or us, who stood against the bill? The BJP has secured a third term at the Centre, yet it continues to stoke Hindu-Muslim debates.”

In response, BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar criticized Thackeray, saying, “Uddhav Thackeray has lost his political direction, which is why he is making such statements. He abandoned Hindutva but failed to establish a new political identity. Now, he is simply echoing Rahul Gandhi’s brand of fake secularism.”

Addressing reporters yesterday (April 2), Maharashtra CM Fadnavis expressed confidence that the Bill would ultimately receive Parliament’s approval. “The Bill does not infringe upon the religious beliefs or sentiments of any community. It merely seeks to rectify past wrongs. Additionally, it ensures women’s representation on the Waqf Board. Previously, any wrongdoing within the board could not be legally challenged—this provision has now been removed,” he stated. The BJP leader asserted that under the current Waqf Act, lands were acquired by the board and subsequently taken over by Congress leaders. He emphasized that the Bill aims to put an end to this “loot.”

The Chief Minister dismissed claims that industrialists would benefit from the proposed law, calling such assertions “foolish.” He criticized opponents of the Bill as “sycophants” engaging in appeasement politics. Emphasizing the Bill’s importance, he stated that “those whose conscience is alive will support it.” He further remarked that if the Uddhav Sena (UBT) truly adhered to Balasaheb Thackeray’s ideals, they would back the legislation.

Uddhav Thackeray’s Hindudvesh

While Uddhav Thackeray accuses the BJP, anyone who has a fair idea of Maharashtra politics would know how the Uddhav Sena left Hindutva to grab power. It was the Uddhav Sena that backstabbed the BJP after the 2019 Assembly election to ally with Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP (Nationalist Congress Party).

What better can be expected from Uddhav Sena when its chief takes a casteist dig at Bhagwan Ram, equates Hindu Swastika to Nazi Hakenkreuz, wishes for a repetition of ‘Godhra like’ incident, and uses the Gaumutra jibe among other Hinduphobic statements and stances.

Ever since Uddhav Sena joined hands with Congress (INC) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), he has never missed an opportunity to display his Hindu hate (Hindudvesh), albeit using the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) as a red herring. 

Amendment strikes down draconian Section 40 of the Waqf Act

The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted by the Congress government, contains provisions that allow unchecked power and property encroachment by the Muslim community. Section 40 grants the Waqf Board the authority to unilaterally declare a property as ‘Waqf Property’ based on its findings. The Board can collect information, conduct inquiries, and make a final decision on whether a property belongs to Waqf, with its ruling remaining valid unless overturned or modified by a tribunal.

Section 40 of the Waqf Act of 1995 grants excessive and arbitrary powers to the Waqf Board, allowing it to unilaterally declare any property as ‘Waqf’ and override existing laws like the Trust Act of 1882 and the Societies Registration Act of 1860. Enacted by the Congress government, these unchecked powers have no precedent, leaving affected parties without proper legal safeguards, as inquiries are conducted solely by the Board itself. This undermines principles of natural justice and fair play.

With no recourse to Civil Court arbitration, decisions overwhelmingly favor the Waqf Board, contributing to its position as Bharat’s third-largest landowner after the Armed Forces and Bharatiya Railways. Currently, around 30 Waqf Boards operate across the country, often encroaching on properties and temple lands. A recurring pattern involves the initial offering of namaz on disputed lands, followed by the establishment of settlements, which are later declared religious sites, making it easier to sell or lease the surrounding areas.

The Amendment Bill aims to course correct and undo the wrongs. By standing against the Bill, Uddhav Sena is endorsing land grab by the Waqf. His desperation to please the Muslims who voted for his party dictates this choice. Well, Uddhav Thackeray and his party have moved beyond the point of no return in Hinduphobia, Muslim appeasement, and pseudo-secularism.

(Featured Image Source: Business Today)