Opposition Criticizes Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in Lok Sabha
New Delhi, August 8: The members of the opposition parties strongly criticized the central government as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Opposition’s Concerns
NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule urged the government to either withdraw the bill or send it to a standing committee, stating, “Please do not push agendas without consultations.”
RSP MP NK Premachandran warned that the bill could be struck down if subjected to judicial scrutiny, saying, “You are disempowering the Waqf Board and the Waqf council. It is against the principles of the Constitution.”
Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav opposed the bill, suggesting it was part of a calculated political strategy. Congress MP KC Venugopal called it an “attack on the federal system,” emphasizing respect for all religions.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi claimed the bill violates Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the Constitution, accusing the government of dividing the nation. DMK MP Kanimozhi said it violates Article 30, which deals with minority rights.
Support for the Bill
JD(U) MP and Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan defended the bill, arguing it aims to bring transparency and is not against Muslims. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated, “This bill has been brought to give rights to those who never got them.”
Bill’s Objectives
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to address issues related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties, and removal of encroachments.
Doubts Revealed
Waqf -: Waqf is a type of charitable trust in Islam where property or money is donated for religious or charitable purposes.
Amendment Bill -: An amendment bill is a proposal to change or add to an existing law.
Lok Sabha -: Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s Parliament where elected representatives discuss and pass laws.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister -: The Parliamentary Affairs Minister is a government official responsible for managing the government’s business in Parliament.
Kiren Rijiju -: Kiren Rijiju is an Indian politician and the current Parliamentary Affairs Minister.
MPs -: MPs are Members of Parliament, the people elected to represent the public in the Lok Sabha.
Supriya Sule -: Supriya Sule is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the Nationalist Congress Party.
NK Premachandran -: NK Premachandran is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the Revolutionary Socialist Party.
Akhilesh Yadav -: Akhilesh Yadav is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party.
KC Venugopal -: KC Venugopal is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the Indian National Congress.
Asaduddin Owaisi -: Asaduddin Owaisi is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen.
Kanimozhi -: Kanimozhi is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
JD(U) -: JD(U) stands for Janata Dal (United), a political party in India.
Rajeev Ranjan -: Rajeev Ranjan is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament from the Janata Dal (United) party.
State Waqf Boards -: State Waqf Boards are government bodies that manage waqf properties in different states of India.
Encroachment -: Encroachment means illegally taking over someone else’s property or land.
