Waqf Amendment Bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha tomorrow at noon, Govt allows 8 hour discussion

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government will table the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in Lok Sabha on April 2, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday.

The bill will be tabled after the question hour tomorrow for consideration and passing, following which an 8 hour discussion will be held which is also subjected to be increased, Rijiu informed.

Kiren Rijiju had earlier briefed BJP spokespersons on the Waqf Amendment Bill at the party's headquarters. During the meeting, Rijiju presented a detailed overview of the bill, highlighting its benefits for the Muslim community.

Rijiju asserted that the bill doesn't interfere with religious institutions' freedom and is designed to give rights to those who previously lacked them. The bill aims to reform Waqf management, enhancing transparency and digitisation.

What is the Opposition's take

The amendment bill has been strongly criticised by the opposition, which repeatedly called it "unconstitutional" and accused BJP's of attempting to "snatch" the rights of Muslims.

The Congress party has been opposing the Waqf Bill. Party MP Mohammad Jawed on March 28 launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union government over the Bill, alleging it was taking the country gradually towards civil war.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that this bill is unconstitutional and "grave violation" of Article 14, 25, 26 and 29 of the Indian Constitution.

Owaisi said that this is not Waqf Bill, rather it's a "Waqf Barbaad Bill." The AIMIM chief further questioned NDA allies Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan and Jayant Chaudhary on the reasons behind their support for the Waqf Amendment Bill.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed his strong opposition on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of "interfering" in everything to gain control.

"We are against the Waqf Board Bill because the BJP wants to interfere in everything. They want control everywhere," Yadav said.

On the protests against the Bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said everyone has a right to protest and any dispute can be challenged in courts. "They are free to protest. If the Bill is not within the ambit of the Constitution, it can be challenged in courts," he said.

"We have aligned the Waqf Bill within the ambit of the Constitution, while the Congress had twisted the law for its political advantage," he said.

The contentious Bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha in August last year, and then referred to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC). The panel's 655-page report, under the leadership of Jagdambika Pal, was submitted to both Houses of Parliament earlier this month amid protests by opposition and Muslim groups.

What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill

The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.

It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records .

The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments.

(With inputs from ANI)