Congress MP Karti Chidambaram Questions Government’s Motives on Waqf (Amendment) Bill
New Delhi [India], August 8: Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has raised concerns about the government’s intentions regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, describing them as ‘malicious and suspicious.’ He stated, “This is a halfway positive measure but still the government’s motives are malicious and suspicious. Let the JPC be formed, and let’s see the members of the committee. All issues will be discussed in the committee. All contentious legislation must go to the committee. The committee can go through the pros and cons of everything.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, aims to address issues related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties, and removal of encroachments. Opposition parties, including Congress, DMK, NCP, Trinamool Congress, and AIMIM, strongly opposed the bill, arguing that its provisions were against federalism and constitutional principles. Some members demanded the withdrawal of the bill, while others suggested it be sent to a standing committee.
Rijiju responded to the opposition’s concerns by agreeing to further scrutiny of the bill through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). He stated, “We are not running away anywhere. So, if this has to be referred to any committee, I would like to speak on behalf of my govt – a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be formed, this Bill be referred to it & detailed discussion be held.” Rijiju also mentioned that the government was acting on recommendations made by a panel constituted during the Congress-led UPA government.
Doubts Revealed
Congress MP -: A Congress MP is a Member of Parliament from the Congress party, which is one of the major political parties in India.
Karti Chidambaram -: Karti Chidambaram is a politician from the Congress party and the son of P. Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister of India.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill -: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a proposed law that aims to make changes to the existing laws about waqf properties, which are properties given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Malicious and suspicious -: Malicious means intending to do harm, and suspicious means causing doubt or mistrust. Karti Chidambaram thinks the government’s intentions behind the bill are not good and cannot be trusted.
Minority Affairs Minister -: The Minority Affairs Minister is a government official responsible for looking after the interests and welfare of minority communities in India.
Kiren Rijiju -: Kiren Rijiju is an Indian politician who is currently serving as the Minority Affairs Minister. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
State Waqf Boards -: State Waqf Boards are organizations in each state of India that manage waqf properties and ensure they are used for the intended religious or charitable purposes.
Opposition parties -: Opposition parties are political parties that are not in power and often challenge the decisions and actions of the ruling government.
DMK -: DMK stands for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, a political party based in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Federalism -: Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and individual states. In India, it means that both the central government and state governments have their own powers and responsibilities.
Joint Parliamentary Committee -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee is a group of members from both houses of Parliament who come together to examine and discuss a particular issue or bill in detail.