AAP MP Sanjay Singh Criticizes Modi Government Over Waqf Amendment Bill 2024
New Delhi [India], August 22: During the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh criticized the Modi government. He claimed that the government’s efforts are aimed at seizing Waqf lands and handing them over to friends. Singh warned that lands belonging to Gurudwaras, churches, and temples might also be taken next.
Sanjay Singh stated, “Article 26 of the Constitution provides for the freedom of religious management. The Constitution, drafted by Dr. BR Ambedkar, states that there should be no government interference in the management of religious institutions, whether it is a temple, Mosque, Gurdwara, or Church.”
He further alleged that the government has already given railway land to friends and handed over 13,000 acres of Indian Army land in Ayodhya. Singh emphasized that the bill is unconstitutional and vowed to oppose it.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, Jagdambika Pal, mentioned that the bill aims to help backward Muslims and women by ensuring that Waqf properties are used for their benefit. The parliamentary committee examining the bill includes 21 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced in the budget session, seeks to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It aims to reform the Tribunal structure, provide for appeals to the High Court, and improve the management of Waqf properties through a central portal.
Doubts Revealed
AAP -: AAP stands for Aam Aadmi Party, a political party in India that focuses on anti-corruption and good governance.
MP -: MP stands for Member of Parliament, a person elected to represent the people in the Parliament of India.
Sanjay Singh -: Sanjay Singh is a politician from the Aam Aadmi Party and serves as a Member of Parliament in India.
Modi government -: The Modi government refers to the current government of India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 -: The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is a proposed law that aims to change the rules and management of Waqf properties, which are lands or assets given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Joint Parliamentary Committee -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee is a group of members from both houses of the Indian Parliament who come together to discuss and review specific issues or bills.
Waqf lands -: Waqf lands are properties given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam, managed by a Waqf board.
Gurudwaras -: Gurudwaras are places of worship for people who follow Sikhism.
Chairperson Jagdambika Pal -: Jagdambika Pal is a politician who is currently serving as the chairperson of the committee discussing the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.
budget session -: The budget session is a period in the Indian Parliament when the government presents its budget and discusses financial matters for the upcoming year.
tribunal structure -: Tribunal structure refers to the organization and functioning of special courts or panels that deal with specific types of disputes or issues, in this case, related to Waqf properties.
