Centre introduces Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in LS; Opposition parties demand withdrawal of the Bill

The Opposition parties today strongly protested against the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha (LS) and also urged the government to withdraw the bill.

Congress MP K C Venugopal objected to introduction of the bill alleging that it is draconian and an attack on federal structure of the country.  He also opposed the provision of appointing non-Muslim members to Waqf board. He alleged that this bill has been brought with ill motive keeping in mind the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. Venugopal also asserted that the people of India will not buy this kind of divisive politics now. 

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the bill was being introduced to appease the BJP's hardcore supporters. He asked, ‘What is the point of including non-Muslims in Waqf boards when this is not done in other religious bodies?’. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi also opposed the legislation. She alleged that the government is blatantly going against the constitution, federalism and minorities. 

Opposing the bill, The Indian Union Muslim League's (IUML) ET Mohammed Basheer said the bill was violative of articles 14, 15, 25 26 and 30 of the Constitution. He alleged it was part of the government's ‘dirty agenda’ and called the bill divisive. NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule demanded withdrawal of the bill or sending it to the Standing Committee for further scrutiny.

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the bill ‘discriminatory, arbitrary and anti-Muslim.’ He said by bringing this bill, you (the Centre) are doing the work of dividing the nation not uniting it. This bill is evidence of the fact that you are an enemy of the Muslims.

On the other hand, Senior JD(U) leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh rejected the allegations that this bill is against a particular community. He said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was aimed at bringing transparency in the functioning of the Waqf Board and not an attempt to interfere with running of mosques. Singh alleged that the opposition is trying to mislead the people over the bill. 

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has moved the Bill for introduction in the Lower House to further amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The bill seeks to address issues related to the powers and functioning of the State Waqf Boards as well as registration and survey of Waqf properties.