Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President YS Sharmila Reddy launched a scathing attack on the BJP government over the amendments to the Waqf Bill, alleging that they undermine the constitutional rights of the Muslim community and serve as an attempt to seize Waqf properties.
Key Highlights of YS Sharmila’s Statements:
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The BJP has butchered democracy in Parliament by passing the Waqf amendments.
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The amendments are an attack on the Muslim community, national unity, and the Constitution.
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The BJP’s cruelty is evident in these amendments, which do not benefit Muslims but instead rob them of their rightful properties.
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The real intention behind these amendments is to grab Waqf assets.
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The BJP is known for its divisive politics, exploiting religion and caste for electoral gains.
Direct Attack on Chandrababu Naidu & TDP
YS Sharmila accused TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu of supporting the BJP’s actions despite claiming to stand with the Muslim community.
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She directly questioned Naidu:
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“Did Muslims not vote for you?”
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“Would you have won without their support?”
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“You served Iftar meals but backstabbed the community by supporting the Waqf Bill amendments.”
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She labeled Naidu as a “Muslim traitor”, accusing him of playing double standards—appearing friendly to Muslims in Andhra Pradesh while silently backing the BJP in Delhi.
Concerns Over the Waqf Board Amendments
Sharmila outlined several issues with the new amendments:
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Granting special powers to a separate authority over Waqf properties, sidelining the Waqf Board.
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Including non-Muslims in the Waqf Board, questioning if the same would be done for Hindu or Sikh temple boards.
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Shifting jurisdiction from the Waqf Board to High Courts, making justice harder to access for Muslims.
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Centralized Waqf property database, which could lead to disputes over ownership due to missing records.
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Legalizing land encroachments, benefiting land grabbers over the rightful Waqf heirs.
Sharmila declared that the Congress Party stands firmly with minority rights and will fight against these amendments.
Vivekananda Reddy Case: Sharmila Alleges Political Pressure
Addressing the YS Vivekananda Reddy murder case, Sharmila claimed that TDP and YSRCP leaders are tampering with evidence to shield the accused Avinash Reddy.
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She revealed that an investigation officer was pressured at Avinash’s residence to sign a false report.
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She questioned: “If accused individuals on bail can manipulate evidence, shouldn’t they be in jail instead?”
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She demanded immediate justice for Sunitha Reddy, the daughter of Vivekananda Reddy.
Praveen Pagadala Case: BJP’s Hidden Agenda?
Sharmila also raised concerns about the murder of Praveen Pagadala, alleging that the BJP is trying to create communal tensions over the incident.
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She warned against dividing Andhra Pradesh along religious lines, stating that such politics have no place in the state.
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She assured Praveen’s family that if clear evidence of murder emerges, she will personally approach the DGP to seek justice.
