The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to “effectively address issues” related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties, and removal of encroachments. The Bill also proposes to make registration with the District Collector’s Office mandatory for any Waqf property so that it can be evaluated.
The BJP-led central government introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. It was introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Chaotic scenes followed in the House as the opposition resisted the passage of the Bill.
Opposition parties allege that the proposals aim to deprive the Muslim community of their land, assets and the “freedom to manage religious affairs” guaranteed under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution. Earlier, the opposition parties asked the Treasury bench to send the controversial bill to the parliamentary standing committee for further consultations before it is considered for passage.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said, “In whatever has happened, there is negligence of the staff that had gone along with her. She was weighed before the match in which she won the silver. She must have been under 50 kg, only then she must have been allowed. Then we should get that silver…”
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “There were a lot of controversial cases about land being grabbed by the Waqf Board. These kinds of activities will stop because of the bill… The only goal of the Opposition is to oppose. They oppose everything that the government does… In Uttarakhand, a drive to free illegally encroached land was going on. It was on hold due to monsoon. It will resume after the rainy season. 5000 acres of illegally encroached land have been freed till now…”
BJP MP Arun Govil said, “I dont think its about religion. Waqf is an organization that manages properties and the revenue generated from them. It should not be linked to religion. Kiren Rijiju answered all questions of the opposition with utmost clarity leaving no ounce of doubt. The opposition opposes everything just for the sake of it. If mistakes made during the Waqf Board Amendment in 1995 need to be rectified and it is a good thing… This is not anti-muslim…”
Himachal Pradesh MP Kangana Ranaut said, “The whole country was waiting for this bill to be presented, so we’ve introduced it today.”
MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, “Before the introduction of the Bill, we had sent a notice to the Speaker – under Rule 72 – that we are against the introduction of this Bill. We believe that this Bill violates the principles of Articles 14, 15 and 25. This Bill violates the basic structure of the Constitution. It especially violates judicial independence and separations of powers…You want to snatch away the mosques that are being claimed by the RSS, snatch away the dargahs that are being claimed by right-wing Hindutva organisations…There are a lot of sections herein that are dangerous. They are not in favour of Waqf Board but are instead trying to finish it off…All their arguments are false…This is not legislation but something to bulldoze Waqf and finish Muslims…”
DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said, “…I don’t understand why they are continuously trying to irritate the Muslim community, trying to dominate them, trying to show that they are superior. This exercise looks like a land-grabbing exercise. Basically, this Government has not done anything good for the people but is trying to take revenge on the minorities.”
Kiren Rijiju said, “We are not running away anywhere. So, if this has to be referred to any committee, I would like to speak on behalf of my govt – a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be formed, this Bill be referred to it & detailed discussion be held…”
Delhi State Haj Committee Chairperson, Kausar Jahan said, “The amendment is a major and important step towards making an impactful law towards transparent, accountable and equal representation. Under this amendment, a provision has been made for the participation of all sections of Muslim community. The most important demand of the 21st century, the hour of the need, is the inclusion of women. So, what is Opposition’s problem? Are they anti-women? Secondly, Waqf properties should not be misused. Waqf properties should be fairly identified. If there is any dispute, there should be a legal solution. So, what is the issue? I think that with this amendment, Waqf Board would be responsible and accountable. I think this will bring down the chances of corruption…This Bill is important…”
While speaking on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “…It is not right to associate Members of Parliament with any religion. We are not saying that people of different religions should be made a part of Waqf board. We are saying that a Member of Parliament should be a member (of the Waqf board). Now, if the MP is a hindu or Christian, then what can we do about it.? Now, if an MP is added to Waqf Board by the virtue of him/her being an MP, then should we change the MP’s religion?”
Kiren Rijiju said, “They (Opposition) are misleading Muslims…Till last night, Muslim delegations came to me…Many MPs have told me that the mafia has taken over Waqf boards. Some MPs have said that they personally support the bill but can’t say it due to their political parties…We have held multi-layered country-wide consultations on this bill…
Minority Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said in Parliament, “This bill being brought today is based on the report of Sachar committee (which called for reform) which you made (Congress)…”
Congress MP Manish Tewari said, “The Bill is violative of various provisions of the Constitution of India. The Bill is also violative of the legislative competence of the government to even bring this Bill to Parliament because there is no entry in the union list which pertains to religious endowments. So under those circumstances, the Bill suffers from the malady of excessive delegation of powers, which is an assault on the federal structure…The bill needs to be withdrawn.”
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, while defending the bill, said in the Parliament, “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….”
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav while slamming the Waqf Bill said, “I have heard in lobby that this Govt is snatching your rights also. We will fight for you.”
Responding to this, union home minister Amit Shah hit out saying, “Speaker’s rights are not just yours but of the entire house. You are not any Rights Custodian.”
On Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, 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 govt) are doing the work of dividing the nation not uniting it. This bill is an evidence of the fact that you are an enemy of the Muslims.”
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