Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Defends Waqf (Amendment) Bill Amid Opposition Criticism
New Delhi, India – On August 8, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to address issues related to the powers of State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties, and removal of encroachments.
Key Points of the Bill
The bill proposes to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It seeks to clearly define ‘waqf’ and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not deny inheritance rights to women. Additionally, it aims to reform the Tribunal structure and provide for appeals to the High Court within ninety days.
Opposition’s Response
Opposition parties strongly criticized the bill. NCP MP Supriya Sule urged the government to withdraw the bill or send it to a standing committee. RSP MP NK Premachandran warned that the bill might be struck down if subjected to judicial scrutiny. Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav and Congress MP KC Venugopal also opposed the bill, with Venugopal calling it an ‘attack on the federal system.’ AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that the bill violates Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the Constitution.
Minister’s Defense
In defense of the bill, Kiren Rijiju stated that it does not interfere with the freedom of any religious body and aims to provide rights to those who never had them. He urged the opposition to consider the benefits for poor people, women, and children before opposing the bill.
Additional Legislation
Alongside the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Rijiju also introduced the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which seeks to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923.
Doubts Revealed
Union Minister -: A Union Minister is a member of the government who is in charge of a specific department or ministry. In this case, Kiren Rijiju is the Union Minister.
Kiren Rijiju -: Kiren Rijiju is an Indian politician who is currently serving as a Union Minister. He is responsible for introducing and defending new laws in the government.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill -: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a proposed change to the existing Waqf Act, which deals with properties and assets donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Lok Sabha -: The Lok Sabha is the lower house of India’s Parliament, where elected representatives discuss and pass laws.
State Waqf Boards -: State Waqf Boards are organizations in each state of India that manage waqf properties, which are assets donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Waqf properties -: Waqf properties are assets or properties donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam. They are managed by Waqf Boards.
Waqf Act, 1995 -: The Waqf Act, 1995, is a law in India that governs the management of waqf properties and the functioning of Waqf Boards.
Women’s inheritance rights -: Women’s inheritance rights refer to the legal rights of women to inherit property from their family members.
Opposition parties -: Opposition parties are political parties that are not part of the ruling government. They often criticize and challenge the government’s decisions.
MPs -: MPs stands for Members of Parliament. They are elected representatives who make and pass laws in the Parliament.
Supriya Sule -: Supriya Sule is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament. She is part of the opposition and has criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Akhilesh Yadav -: Akhilesh Yadav is an Indian politician and a Member of Parliament. He is also part of the opposition and has urged the withdrawal of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill -: The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill is another proposed law that aims to repeal or cancel an older law related to waqf properties.
