Debate between Opposition and Government in Parliament Over Waqf Bill

New Delhi:

Opposition parties spearheaded by the Congress united to demonstrate against the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha today. The bill aims to tackle issues concerning authorities of State Waqf Boards, enrollment and inspection of Waqf properties, and elimination of trespassing. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju subsequently suggested referring the Bill to a combined parliamentary committee.

The bill recommends modifying 44 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act. The Bill suggests that the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards must include two women. It also specifies that funds received by the Waqf Board should be utilized for the benefit of widows, divorcees, and orphans as directed by the government. Another significant proposal is to safeguard women’s inheritance. The clause allowing non-Muslim members to be part of Waqf bodies is another contentious issue in the proposed legislation.

While discussing the Bill in Lok Sabha, Congress’s KC Venugopal criticized the proposed law as “draconian” and stated that it is an assault on religious freedom and the federal system. He also objected to the provision of appointing non-Muslim members to the Waqf board.

The Samajwadi Party, the second-largest opposition force, has also opposed the Bill. “This Bill has been brought in as part of a calculated political maneuver. If there is a democratic process for elections, why appoint individuals. No one from outside the community is part of other religious organizations. What is the rationale for including non-Muslims in Waqf bodies?” party leader and MP Akhilesh Yadav remarked.
Another Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah commented, “This is an injustice to Muslims. “We are making a grave error, we will bear the consequences of this Bill for generations. This is an interference in religion.”

Prior to this, Mr. Yadav alleged that the BJP intends to sell off lands owned by Waqf boards under the guise of amendments. “All these modifications to the ‘Waqf Board’ are merely a pretext; The aim is to sell lands like defense, railway, and Nazul land,” he stated in a post on X. While Trinamool’s Sudip Bandhyopadhyay mentioned that the legislation goes against federalism, DMK’s K Kanimozhi argued that it is against the minority community. “Can Christians and Muslims manage Hindu temples?” she questioned.

Defending the bill, Union Minister and BJP ally JDU leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh asserted that the Bill has been introduced to enhance the transparency of Waqf boards operations. Countering the opposition’s claim that the Bill discriminates against minorities, he referenced the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Sikhs?” he inquired.

NCP’s Supriya Sule from Sharad Pawar’s faction mentioned that the government did not conduct thorough consultations before presenting the Bill in the House. “Please refer this to the standing committee for better consultation. The timing is suspicious. Why the sudden urgency with the Waqf board that prompted this Bill?” she inquired.

Indian Union Muslim League’s ET Mohammed Basheer and CPM’s K Radhakrishan also opposed the Bill.

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi rejected the legislation, labeling it as discriminatory and a serious assault on the fundamental structure of the Constitution, as it infringes on judicial independence. “The Government is attempting to severely restrict how Muslims can manage their Waqf property,” he remarked.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the government had to introduce amendments because past Congress governments failed to address issues in the law. “Since you were unable to act, we had to implement these amendments. We are elected representatives, support this bill and you will receive the blessings of millions of people. Some individuals have taken control of Waqf boards and this Bill has been introduced to provide justice to ordinary Muslims.”

Mr. Rijiju claimed that several leaders in the opposition had confidentially informed him that state waqf boards had transformed into a mafia. “I will not reveal their names and ruin their political careers,” he stated.