BJP’s CR Kesavan Calls Waqf Amendment Bill Historic, Congress Opposes
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 9: BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan criticized the Congress party and INDI bloc for opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it historic. Kesavan stated that the bill would empower the Muslim community. He questioned why Congress and the INDI alliance were against the bill, suggesting they were misleading the Muslim community and playing politics of appeasement.
Congress MP K Suresh claimed the amendments were intended for the government to take over Waqf properties, calling the bill anti-constitutional and an attack on minorities. He noted that even some NDA supporting parties were unhappy with the bill.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju introduced the bill in Lok Sabha on Thursday. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 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, arguing it violated federalism and constitutional provisions. Some members demanded the bill’s withdrawal or referral to a standing committee.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
CR Kesavan -: CR Kesavan is a spokesperson for the BJP. A spokesperson is someone who speaks on behalf of a group or organization.
Waqf -: Waqf is a type of charitable trust in Islam. It involves donating property or money for religious or charitable purposes.
Amendment Bill -: An Amendment Bill is a proposal to change or add to an existing law. In this case, it is about changing the rules related to Waqf properties.
Congress -: Congress is another major political party in India. It often opposes the BJP on various issues.
INDI bloc -: INDI bloc refers to a group of political parties in India that have come together to oppose the BJP.
MP K Suresh -: K Suresh is a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Congress party. MPs are elected representatives who make laws in India.
Anti-constitutional -: Anti-constitutional means something that goes against the Constitution, which is the set of rules and principles that govern a country.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju -: Kiren Rijiju is a Union Minister in the Indian government. Union Ministers are responsible for different departments and help run the country.
Lok Sabha -: Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s Parliament. It is where elected representatives discuss and pass laws.
Federalism -: Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller regional units, like states in India.