In an exclusive interview with Sreenivasan Jain, Sri Krishna Devarayalu, TDP MP and the party’s leader in the Lok Sabha, defends the party’s support for the controversial waqf law despite strong objections from sections of the Muslim community and opposition parties.
Devarayalu emphasises that TDP was the first party to suggest sending the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee and successfully pushed for three amendments. But when asked about the rejection of the TDP suggestion about states taking a final call on the inclusion of non-Muslims in the waqf board, Devarayalu argues that the board is a “secular” management body and is not involved in the religious affairs of institutions.
Even as the TDP – an alliance partner of the BJP – grapples with the fallout of supporting the Waqf Act, what does it make of hate speeches by top BJP leaders, including the Prime Minister? Devarayalu insists that the PM’s comments are words “taken out of context”. On statements by BJP leaders, including UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, about reclaiming land, the TDP MP says these are “fringe elements”.
The MP promises TDP will prevent interference with Muslim religious institutions in Andhra Pradesh despite the new national law, though he doesn’t specify exactly how this will be accomplished. Throughout the interview, Devarayalu also avoids directly criticising the BJP, limiting his scope to Andhra Pradesh issues.