Health Minister slams Centre over Waqf Bill, calls it ‘unconstitutional’

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday hit out at the NDA government over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha, saying that the Centre’s move is “unconstitutional” and it was taking away powers of the States.

Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao on Wednesday hit out at the NDA government over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha, saying that the Centre’s move is “unconstitutional” and it was taking away powers of the States.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Rao said the Centre had no right on the issue but had interfered in the States’ subjects which will backfire them. Even if the Bill was passed in Parliament, it will be challenged in the apex court. “The Centre’s move is nothing but dictatorial,” he charged.

The Minister said if there are any irregularities with regard to Waqf properties, investigations can be carried out. But the Centre’s move was unacceptable and taking away the powers of the States was “illegal” “unconstitutional”.

Defending the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs, Mr. Rao defended the Speaker’s action and lashed out at the BJP for creating a ruckus on the last day of the Budget session, preventing the Chief Minister from making a statement. “The unruly behaviour of the BJP MLAs has to be condemned as they showed disrespect to the Speaker and his position. The BJP MLAs had set a bad precedent and their disrespectful behaviour was watched by the people in the State.”

He suggested that the senior BJP leaders must advise the suspended MLAs to behave properly in the house. Instead of demanding revoking of the MLAs’ suspension, the leaders must educate them on behaviours in the house. There is nothing to learn from the BJP MLAs and their act was shameful, he said.

On the price rise issue and the BJP’s State-wide protest, Mr. Rao said the Opposition’s job is to protest and they are doing their job. “I also advise them to protest the rise in prices of essential commodities that were the Centre’s contribution.”