Bengaluru: In a firm declaration, Karnataka’s Minister for Housing and Minority Welfare, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, announced that the state would not implement the contentious Waqf Act, even after its passage in the Indian Parliament.

Khan’s remarks align with the stance of other opposition-led states, as he cited leaders such as Mamata Banerjee and Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister in opposing the Waqf Amendment Act. “Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Kerala government, and Karnataka government have made a decision regarding the Waqf Amendment Act that it is not acceptable to us,” Khan stated, according to Kashmir Media Service.

The Minister expressed regret over the fatalities that occurred during protests against the Act in West Bengal, noting, “I am saddened that three people died during protests in West Bengal. This bill should not have passed, but it has passed. We will solve the problem through the court. I am sure we will get justice in the court… We will not implement it in Karnataka.”

The Waqf Amendment Act seeks to incorporate non-Muslim members into the central Waqf Council and increase governmental oversight, with the aim of improving transparency and reducing corruption. However, the legislation has faced opposition from several states citing concerns over its implications.