New Delhi : The government on Thursday decided to refer the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) after strong resistance from the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who described it as as ‘anti-Muslim’ and an ‘attack on the Constitution’.
Earlier, the Bill was introduced by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, aimed at amending the law governing Waqf boards, proposes far-reaching changes in the Wakf Act, 1995.
Kiren Rijiju said, “This bill being brought today is based on the report of the Sachar committee which was made by the Congress and which called for reform.
“With this bill, there is no interference in the freedom of any religious body. Forget about taking anyone’s rights, this bill has been brought to give rights to those who never got them” he added.
The Bill also proposes that the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards must have two women. It also lays down that money received by the Waqf Board must be used for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans in the manner suggested by the government.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill also aims at renaming the act to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.
The bill seeks to omit Section 40 of the current law relating to the powers of the board to decide if a property is Waqf property.
The bill also proposes the establishment of a separate board of Auqaf for the Boharas and Aghakhanis. The draft law provides for the representation of Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis and other backward classes among Muslim communities.
After the Bill was tabled, the opposition parties including Congress strongly opposed it, considering it to be against various provisions of the Constitution and an attempt to interfere in the religious matters of Muslims.
The opposition demanded Speaker Om Birla to hold a debate before introducing the bill under Rule 72, which was accepted by him.
After listening to all the members of the party and the Opposition, Rijiju said that the Opposition members are protesting this Bill due to political pressure but the truth is that this bill is in the interest of everyone and it will help the poor in Waqf property.
He said that more than 90,000 cases are pending in the Waqf Board and in view of all these inequalities, this bill has been brought to provide justice to the people. In the new bill, the time for disposal of the case has been fixed in six months.
Rijiju said that no article of the Constitution has been violated by the provisions made in the bill and no one’s rights are being taken away. Those who have not been given rights for centuries have been given rights in this bill. The bill makes membership of women mandatory for the Waqf Board and will include women from every Muslim community.
Soon after the Bill was introduced, Congress MP KC Venugopal, who had submitted notice to oppose its introduction, accused the government of violating freedom of religion and attacking the federal system through it.
“This is a draconian law and a fundamental attack on the Constitution,” Venugopal said.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav while opposing the Bill said that the tabling of this Bill was being done under a very well thought out politics.
He said that the truth is that BJP was trying to bring this bill to appease a few of its frustrated and staunch supporters.
“Today our rights are being curtailed. Remember I told you (Speaker) that you are the judge of democracy. I have heard that some of your rights are also being taken away in this lobby. For that people will have to fight for you also.
Objecting to this statement by Akhilesh Yadav, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that “Akhilesh ji, you cannot talk in this manner. You are not the protector of the Speaker’s rights.”
Samajwadi Party leader Habibbullah too opposed the bill and said, “Waqf is a religious matter and this legislation is interference in religious practice”.
Sudip Bandhopadhya of TMC termed this bill as unconstitutional and said it is against the federal structure.
DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi also opposed the bill and alleged that the government is blatantly going against the constitution, federalism and minorities.
NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule demanded withdrawal of the bill or send it to the Standing Committee for further scrutiny.
“I request the government to either withdraw this bill completely or send it to a standing committee. Please do not push agendas without consultations,” she added.
Speaking in support of the Bill, JD(U) MP & Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan says, This law is being made to bring transparency. The opposition is comparing it with temples. They are diverting from the main issue”.
“How is it against Muslims?.KC Venugopal should explain how thousands of Sikhs were killed. Which taxi driver killed Indira Gandhi? Now, they are talking about minorities” he added.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the bill violated the principles of Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution. This bill is both discriminatory and arbitrary.
“By bringing this bill, you (the Central government) 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,” Owaisi said.
