Whole country needs NRC, WAQF Board occupying lands illegally: Union Minister Giriraj Singh

New Delhi [India], September 6 : Reacting to Himachal Pradesh's Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister, Anirudh Singh's statement on the presence of immigrants in Himachal Pradesh, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that the whole country needed NRC and Rahul Gandhi should give a clarification on it. He alleged that the WAQF Board was occupying lands illegally.
Giriraj Singh said, "When we demand NRC then Rahul Gandhi opposes it, but a minister in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sing Sukhu said that there should be an investigation and people should be given a certificate, ie NRC should be conducted. In the entire country, this is required. if NRC did not take place then Indian origins will go extinct."
He alleged that some illegal mosques were being used for terror-related activities.
"Himachal Pradesh's Minister, Anirudh Singh is himself talking about infiltrators from Bangladesh and Rohingyas. Rahul Gandhi should give a clarification. In Shimla, people are protesting against the illegal construction of mosque. After partition in place of 3000 mosques, 3 lakh mosques were built in illegal way. Some mosques are even being used for terror-related activities," he added.
He hit out at the WAQF Board and questioned how the property of the Board is increasing.
Singh further said, " Congress govt during their regime gave the right to grab any land to Waqf board. The evidence for this is being given by a Himachal Pradesh Minister in the Assembly. How is Waqf Board's wealth increasing? Many projects of the Railway department were stopped because Waqf board claimed that it was their property. In Karnataka, they have snatched the lands of the farmers."
He alleged that Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi, was making an attempt at a second partition of the country.
Singh said, "Owaisi speaks against the law and he speaks instigating things. After Jinnah, he will lead the second partition. After partition, so many people were left in Pakistan and Bangladesh and so many incidents happened but he didn't say anything or condemn it. If this was Pakistan or Bangladesh, Owaisi's voice would have been muzzled by now."
Earlier Congress minister Anirudh Singh pointed out that the Muslim community has peacefully coexisted in the state for generations. However, he expressed concern over the recent influx of people from other states, emphasising that the primary issue is ensuring proper verification of newcomers.
"There is no difference between Hindus and Muslims among those coming from other states. The real concern is that we must verify those coming to Himachal Pradesh to prevent any security risks," Singh explained.
Singh also noted the arrival of individuals from other countries and suggested the need for a thorough investigation into the background of these newcomers. He called for vigilance in ensuring the safety and security of the region.
"The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh focuses on development and ensures that every action is lawful. This isn't an issue of the temple or mosque but rather of legal and illegal constructions," said Singh.
"He does the politics of a particular community and has nothing to do with development. We need to investigate where they're coming from. There are people coming from Bangladesh, and this is a concern for the entire country. We need to keep a check on this," he stated, urging for more stringent regulations to prevent illegal activity.
Singh continued to stress the importance of proper verification, warning of the potential risks posed by unchecked migration.
"This is not about Hindus or Muslims, it's about ensuring the law is followed. People who come to Himachal Pradesh for business or other purposes must go through proper checks," he added.
The Sanjauli Mosque row continues to stir political debate in Himachal Pradesh, with both BJP and Congress leaders expressing their positions on the issue.