Shashi Tharoor and Mallu Ravi Oppose Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, August 8: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Mallu Ravi have voiced strong opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha. Tharoor called the bill 'unconstitutional' and claimed many were against it.

On the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Tharoor said, 'There were people who wanted to speak but were not given a chance because so many people are against the introduction of this bill. This is unconstitutional. Let there be discussions in the JPC, only then will we say anything.'

Congress MP Mallu Ravi said, 'This new Bill is totally unacceptable to us because the intention of the Government is wrong. By introducing this Bill, their intention is to destroy the Muslim minority rights and their Waqf committees. If they put non-Muslims in the Waqf committee, what justice can they accord? They should know the religious rights of Muslims. If they don't know, how will they do give the right judgement? It is only to hand over the Waqf land...They have agreed for a Joint Parliamentary Committee. We will see in the JPC. As a Congress MP, Mallu Ravi will definitely argue for not putting non-Muslim candidates in the committee.'

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to 'effectively address' issues related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments, was introduced in Lok Sabha. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which amends the Waqf Act, 1995, was introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Opposition parties including the Congress, DMK, NCP, Trinamool Congress and AIMIM strongly opposed the introduction of the bill, saying its provisions were against federalism and the constitutional provisions. While some members demanded the withdrawal of the bill, many suggested that it should be sent to a standing committee. Kiren Rijiju agreed to the suggestions for further scrutiny of the bill by a parliamentary committee.

'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,' he said. Rijiju gave a detailed reply to the points raised by opposition parties and said the government was acting on recommendations made by a panel constituted when the Congress-led UPA government was in power.