Congress Leader Ramesh Chennithala Supports Review of Waqf Amendment Bill
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 10: Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has endorsed the central government’s decision to refer the Waqf Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, stressing that the rights of minorities must be safeguarded. On Friday evening, Chennithala stated, “The government introduced this bill in the Lok Sabha without consulting anyone. It’s positive that a Joint Parliamentary Committee has been formed; this will allow for necessary discussions.”
“We must ensure that minorities’ rights are protected,” he added.
Earlier on August 9, a Joint Parliamentary Committee was established to review the Waqf Amendment Bill. The committee includes 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. Union Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal remarked that the Waqf Board Amendment Bill aims to ensure accountability, transparency, and justice. “The bill will bring accountability and transparency, ensuring that those deserving of justice receive it. The amendments in 1995 and 2013 were brought for similar reasons. Our government is committed to transparent governance.”
Meghwal further commented, “The government does not operate on the basis of religion; this is a political narrative pushed by the Congress and the opposition. Our agenda is justice. When we introduced the Triple Talaq Resolution Bill, similar objections were raised, but the public benefitted. Congress, driven by appeasement, ignored this bill earlier. Our government, however, is committed to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, including ensuring justice for the oppressed in the Muslim community.”
On August 8, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which amends the Waqf Act, 1995. Opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, NCP, Trinamool Congress, and AIMIM, strongly opposed the bill, arguing that its provisions contradict federalism and constitutional principles. While some members called for the bill’s withdrawal, others suggested it be referred to a standing committee.
Doubts Revealed
Congress -: Congress is one of the major political parties in India. It has been around for a long time and has played a big role in India’s history.
Ramesh Chennithala -: Ramesh Chennithala is a politician from the Congress party. He is known for his work in the state of Kerala.
Waqf Amendment Bill -: The Waqf Amendment Bill is a proposed change to the laws that govern Waqf properties. Waqf properties are lands or buildings given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Joint Parliamentary Committee -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee is a group of members from both houses of India’s Parliament. They come together to discuss and review important bills or issues.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal -: Arjun Ram Meghwal is a minister in the central government of India. He is responsible for certain departments and helps make important decisions.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju -: Kiren Rijiju is a minister who looks after the interests of minority communities in India. He introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Federalism -: Federalism is a system where power is divided between a central government and individual states. In India, both the central government and state governments have their own responsibilities.
Constitutional principles -: Constitutional principles are the basic rules and ideas that guide how a country is governed. In India, these principles are written in the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land.