Wakf Amendment Bill introduced: It is mandatory to have non-Muslim members in committees, in property disputes, the decision of the Collector will be final instead of the Wakf Tribunal
New Delhi. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha. The opposition opposed it in a loud voice. The opposition called it an attack on fundamental rights and tampered with the basic spirit of the Constitution.
Many major amendments have been made in the rights and rules of Waqf in the Central Government’s Waqf Amendment Bill. The first of which is that it has been made mandatory to include non-Muslim members in Waqf committees. Whereas in cases related to Waqf properties, the decision of the Waqf Tribunal was final, now this entire power has been given to the Collector. Apart from this, there are many such provisions due to which it is feared that this will open the way for the encroachment of Waqf properties.
Congress said it is unconstitutional
Congress leader KC Venugopal opposed it. Venugopal said that this bill is an attack on religion and fundamental rights given by the Constitution. He clearly said that it is against the basic spirit of the Constitution. He raised the question whether there is any non-Hindu in the Ayodhya temple, has any non-Hindu been included in the committee of any temple. Venugopal said that Waqf is also a religious institution. An attempt is being made to divide the society through this bill. He said that we are Hindus but at the same time we also respect the faith of other religions. He claimed that this bill has been made for the elections of Maharashtra and Haryana. You do not understand that last time the people of India clearly taught you a lesson. This is an attack on the federal system.
Owaisi said attack on Muslims
On the bill, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, this bill violates 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 not uniting the country but dividing it. Owaisi accused the Modi government that this bill is proof that you are the enemy of Muslims.
SP said it is a well thought out politics
SP MP Akhilesh Yadav put forth his views on the bill. This bill which is being introduced is being done under a very well thought out politics…Speaker Sir, I heard in the lobby that some of your rights are also being taken away and we will have to fight for you…I oppose this bill. Responding to Akhilesh’s claims, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, Akhilesh ji, can’t you say such evasive things…are you not the guardian of the Speaker’s rights.
NCP demanded to send it to the standing committee
Opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, NCP Sharad faction MP Supriya Sule said, I request the central government to either withdraw this bill completely or send it to the standing committee… please do not push the agenda without consultation. Opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha, DMK MP Kanimozhi said, this is a direct violation of Article 30 which deals with minorities managing their institutions. This bill targets a particular religious group.
In the Lok Sabha, RSP MP NK Premachandran said that you are completely weakening the Waqf Board and Waqf Council. He said that you are eliminating the system. This is against the principles of the Constitution. I warn the government that if this law is subjected to judicial scrutiny, it will definitely be repealed.
