Akhilesh Yadav and Amit Shah Clash Over Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, August 8: The Lok Sabha saw a heated debate between Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Akhilesh Yadav’s Concerns
Akhilesh Yadav argued that the bill was politically motivated and questioned the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf bodies. He claimed that the BJP introduced the bill to appease hardliner supporters after a setback in the Lok Sabha election.
Yadav also suggested that the rights of the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, were being curtailed, which led to an intervention by Amit Shah.
Amit Shah’s Response
Amit Shah countered Yadav’s claims, stating that the rights of the Speaker belong to the entire House and accused Yadav of making misleading statements.
Speaker’s Intervention
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla advised Yadav and other members not to make personal remarks about the Chair.
Introduction of the Bill
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, aims to address issues related to the powers of State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties, and removal of encroachments. Opposition parties, including Congress, DMK, NCP, Trinamool Congress, and AIMIM, opposed the bill, citing concerns about federalism and constitutional provisions.
Further Scrutiny
Rijiju agreed to refer the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for detailed discussion, stating that the government was acting on recommendations from a panel formed during the Congress-led UPA government.
Doubts Revealed
Akhilesh Yadav -: Akhilesh Yadav is a politician from Uttar Pradesh, India. He is a member of the Samajwadi Party and has served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
Amit Shah -: Amit Shah is a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and currently serves as the Union Home Minister of India. He is responsible for internal security and law and order in the country.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 -: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is a proposed law in India that aims to make changes to the existing laws governing Waqf properties. Waqf properties are lands or assets donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Lok Sabha -: The Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s Parliament. It is where elected representatives discuss and pass laws for the country.
Samajwadi Party -: The Samajwadi Party is a political party in India, mainly based in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It focuses on social justice and the welfare of the underprivileged.
Union Home Minister -: The Union Home Minister is a senior government official in India responsible for maintaining internal security, law and order, and overseeing police forces.
politically motivated -: When something is described as politically motivated, it means that it is done for political reasons, often to gain an advantage or to harm an opponent.
non-Muslims in Waqf bodies -: Waqf bodies are organizations that manage Waqf properties, which are usually related to Islamic religious or charitable purposes. The inclusion of non-Muslims in these bodies is a point of debate.
Minority Affairs Minister -: The Minority Affairs Minister is a government official in India responsible for the welfare and development of minority communities, such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and others.
Kiren Rijiju -: Kiren Rijiju is an Indian politician and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He currently serves as the Minister of Minority Affairs.
State Waqf Boards -: State Waqf Boards are organizations in Indian states that manage and oversee Waqf properties and ensure they are used for their intended religious or charitable purposes.
Joint Parliamentary Committee -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee is a group of members from both houses of India’s Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) that is formed to examine specific issues or bills in detail.