Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to Be Tabled in Lok Sabha Tomorrow
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government is set to table the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, as confirmed by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju. The bill will be presented after the Question Hour for consideration and passing, followed by an 8-hour discussion, which may be extended, Rijiju added.
Rijiju had briefed BJP spokespersons on the details of the bill at the party’s headquarters on Tuesday. During the briefing, he emphasized the bill’s potential benefits for the Muslim community and clarified that it does not interfere with the freedom of religious institutions. The proposed amendment aims to reform Waqf management by enhancing transparency, digitization, and ensuring rights for those who have previously been excluded.
The bill has, however, faced strong criticism from the opposition. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the bill unconstitutional, asserting that it violates several provisions of the Indian Constitution, including Articles 14, 25, 26, and 29. Owaisi also referred to the bill as the “Waqf Barbaad Bill” and questioned the support of NDA allies, such as Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan, and Jayant Chaudhary, for the amendment.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also expressed his opposition, accusing the BJP of interfering in every sector to exert control. “We are against the Waqf Board Bill because the BJP wants to interfere in everything. They want control everywhere,” Yadav stated.
The bill was initially presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year, after which a Joint Parliamentary Committee, headed by Jagdambika Pal, was formed for further review. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to address issues of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments that have plagued Waqf properties. The amendments include improving the registration process, enhancing the role of technology in managing Waqf records, and updating the definitions and administration of Waqf properties.
The Waqf Act of 1995, intended to regulate Waqf properties, has faced criticism for its inefficiencies, and the proposed amendments aim to address these shortcomings and enhance the overall management of Waqf properties in India.
