Congress and Opposition Parties Strongly Oppose Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, August 8: The Union government introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha today. The Congress party criticized the bill, calling it ‘draconian’ and an ‘attack on the Constitution.’ Several opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, NCP, Trinamool Congress, and AIMIM, opposed the bill, arguing that it violates federalism and constitutional provisions.
Congress leader KC Venugopal accused the BJP of using divisive politics for upcoming elections in Haryana and Maharashtra. He emphasized the need to respect all religions and called the bill an attack on the federal system. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi highlighted the sensitivity of religious matters and demanded the bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MP Hanuman Beniwal also demanded a Standing Committee or JPC to review the bill, stating that it would hurt public sentiments. DMK MP Kanimozhi argued that the bill violates Article 30, which protects minority rights to administer their institutions.
Congress MP K Suresh criticized the government’s decision to send the bill to a JPC without consulting the opposition. TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha welcomed the formation of a JPC, noting the lack of Muslim representation in top government positions.
Azad Samaj Party MP Chandra Shekhar Aazad called for issue-based politics rather than Hindu-Muslim politics. He questioned the government’s intentions and criticized the removal of scholarships and aid for Muslims.
National President of All India Muslim Jamaat Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi supported the amendment but opposed the appointment of non-Muslim members to the Waqf Board. BJP leader Smriti Irani defended the bill, stating it aims to protect the rights of poor Muslim families, especially women and children.
Delhi State Haj Committee Chairperson Kausar Jahan praised the amendment for promoting transparency and accountability. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami accused the opposition of opposing the bill for the sake of opposition.
Kashish Warsi, President of the Indian Sufi Foundation, demanded a debate on the bill, arguing that radicals control Waqf properties. Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde claimed the bill would bring transparency and accountability to the Waqf Board.
JD(U) MP Rajeev Ranjan and BJP MP Arun Govil defended the bill, stating it aims to bring transparency and is not anti-Muslim. Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai and BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the opposition of trying to provoke the Muslim community.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad appealed to the opposition to support the bill, emphasizing its benefits for the Muslim community. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam argued that the amendment would bring transparency to the Waqf Board.
While Janata Dal (United) and TDP supported the bill, YSRCP opposed it. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to rename the Waqf Act, 1995 as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995.
Doubts Revealed
Congress -: Congress is one of the major political parties in India. It has been around for a long time and has had many leaders who have become Prime Ministers of India.
Opposition Parties -: Opposition parties are political groups that are not in power. They often challenge and question the decisions made by the ruling government.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 -: A bill is a proposal for a new law. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is a proposal to change the existing Waqf Act, 1995, which deals with properties and funds meant for religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community.
Lok Sabha -: Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s Parliament. It is where elected representatives discuss and make laws for the country.
Union government -: The Union government is the central government of India, which makes decisions and laws for the entire country.
KC Venugopal -: KC Venugopal is a leader from the Congress party. He often speaks on behalf of his party in Parliament.
divisive -: Divisive means something that causes disagreement or conflict among people.
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a group of members from both houses of Parliament who come together to review and discuss important issues or bills.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is another major political party in India and is currently in power.
Waqf Act, 1995 -: The Waqf Act, 1995 is a law that deals with properties and funds set aside for religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community.
transparency -: Transparency means being open and clear about actions and decisions so that everyone can see what is happening.
accountability -: Accountability means being responsible for one’s actions and being able to explain and justify them to others.
Waqf Board -: The Waqf Board is a group that manages properties and funds meant for religious or charitable purposes in the Muslim community.
