Parliament Session highlights: Waqf Bill referred to joint parliamentary panel; Oppn says it 'draconian'

On the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, National President of Sufi Islamic Board, Mansoor Khan says, "The manner in which Waf Board has been misused in last 70 years, we gave a few suggestions to the Waqf Board in wake of that. Our primary suggestion was that it should be taken out of the Minority Ministry and brought under Home Ministry so that all the encroachments can be removed and if something misuse happens, Home Ministry can intervene directly, file cases and prosecute...The Bill states that it would come under Collector. There is no issue, things will be better than before." On Oppositition's objection, he says, "...If they are opposing it, they should tell how much welfare for Muslims was done in 70 years by using Waqf land?...If they can show it, it will be justified. But if nothing has been done, why are they opposing it?..."

On Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Congress MP KC Venugopal says, "Union Minister (Kiren Rijiju) has totally misled the House. Totally untrue and misleading statements from his side. It is quite unfortunate. But it is going to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), let's fight there.

The Haj Association of India welcomed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, moved in Lok Sabha on Thursday and called it a "big initiative" by the government of India.Haj Association of India chairman A Aboobucker said that this bill will be "good for women's empowerment" and also help the poor."On behalf of the Haj Association of India, New Delhi, we welcome this amendment as this Act is quite old. As per the current scenario, some amendments need to be made. Govt of India has taken a big initiative and we welcome that, there is no doubt," Aboobucker said. He also criticised those opposing the bill and said that "some of the organisations and political parties, a few are opposing this at the pan India level, I think it will be good for women's empowerment and will help the poor people."

(ANI)

Amid the opposition's all-out attack on the Centre after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on Thursday, Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju defended the bill in the House and said that there is no "interference in the freedom of any religious body".

"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. This bill being brought today is based on the report of Sachar committee (which called for reform) which you made (Congress)," Kiren Rijiju said as he moved the bill for consideration in the lower house.

"Stop opposing this bill, this will go down in history, whoever has opposed it and whoever has supported it. So before opposing the bill, think about thousands of poor people, women, and children and respect them," Rijiju added. (ANI)

Congress MP KC Venugopal opposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha saying, "This bill is a fundamental attack on the Constitution…Through this bill, they are putting a provision that non-Muslims also be members of the Waqf governing council. It is a direct attack on freedom of religion...Next, you will go for Christians, then Jains...People of India will not buy this kind of divisive politics now..."

The opposition on Thursday, August 8, protested against the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, with Congress MP KC Venugopal calling it “draconian” and an “attack on the Constitution”.

Speaking on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha, JD(U) MP & Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan says, " How is it against Muslims? This law is being made to bring transparency...The opposition is comparing it with temples, they are diverting from the main issue....KC Venugopal (Congress) should explain how thousands of Sikhs were killed…which taxi driver killed Indira Gandhi? Now, they are talking about minorities..."

Opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha, DMK MP Kanimozhi says, "It is a direct violation of Article 30 which deals with minorities to administer their institutions. This bill targets a particular religious group..."

Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, has moved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha.

Lashing out at the BJP-led NDA government on the Waqf Act Amendment Bill, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that in the disguise of amendments, BJP is trying to sell the lands of Waqf Board and instead of 'Janata' in BJP, they should add 'Zameen' in it. Taking it to a social media post on X, Yadav wrote...

'Bill will usher transparency...' says BJP's CR Kesavan as INDIA bloc questions government on Waqf amendment

 The BJP-led government is slated to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The bill seeks to "effectively address issues" related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments. 

Even as the INDIA bloc decided to oppose the bill the BJP lashed out at the Congress and its allies claiming that they were standing in the way of much-needed reform. 

"It is a very commendable initiative by the government of PM Narendra Modi, who in response to the various demands and representations made by the affected members of the Muslim community have decided to introduce these amendments. The Waqf Act was enacted by an Act of Parliament in 1954, but the intended objective has not been achieved, which is why there have been so many representations from the affected community. It is very well within the purview of parliament and the deserving, and disadvantaged Muslim members of the community have been denied their rights," BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan said. 

(ANI)

Samajwadi Party will oppose the Waqf Bill in Parliament, according to the party sources.The government has decided to withdraw the Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants), Bill, 2014 which was introduced in Rajya Sabha in February 2014, when the Congress-led UPA government was in power.

Government is set to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha today (August 8) to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is listed for introduction by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in Lok Sabha on Thursday.