New Delhi, Aug 8 (UNI) The Central government on Thursday introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha amid protest by the Opposition.
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.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha while introducing the Bill, 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.
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.
Samajwadi Party leader Habibbullah 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.
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.
