Waqf Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha; opposition calls it "draconian law"

New Delhi [India], August 8 : As the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Union government today, the Congress denounced the bill as "draconian" and an "attack on the Constitution," adding that "this is a draconian law and a fundamental attack on the Constitution."
Opposition parties including the Congress, DMK, NCP, Trinamool Congress and AIMIM strongly opposed the introduction of the bill, saying its provisions were against federalism and the constitutional provisions. While some members demanded the withdrawal of the bill, many suggested that should be sent to a standing committee.
Congress leader KC Venugopal, who had previously submitted a notice to oppose the Bill, said people taught the BJP a lesson for its divisive politics but it was continuing with the same, keeping in mind the upcoming assembly elections in states such as Haryana and Maharashtra.
"We are Hindus but at the same time, we respect the faith of other religions. This bill is specialized for the Maharashtra and Haryana elections. You do not understand that last time the people of India clearly taught you a lesson. This is an attack on the federal system," Venugopal said.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that religious matters are very sensitive, adding that the opposition demanded to send this bill to a JPC.
"Religious matters are very sensitive. We were always asking the government to not make decisions in a hurry. But it is now very clear that they do not intend to work for anyone's welfare and focus only on politics, and appeasement, and to save themselves in the upcoming elections in Maharashtra and Haryana... We demanded to send this bill to a JPC," Gogoi said.
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party MP Hanuman Beniwal said that they demand a Standing Committee or JPC.
"The government wants to get it passed by introducing it in the Parliament. The Opposition registered its strong opposition. We said that this would hurt public sentiments. Waqf has been formed under Constitutional rights, you can't overrule it...We demanded a Standing Committee or JPC. Due to the objection of Opposition, NDA sent it to JPC. This happened due to our objection, otherwise they would have passed it today," Beniwal said.
DMK MP Kanimozhi said that it is a direct violation of Article 30 which deals with minorities to administer their institutions.
"It is a direct violation of Article 30 which deals with minorities to administer their institutions. This bill targets a particular religious group," Kanimozhi said.
Congress MP K Suresh said that the INDIA bloc's demand was for a Standing Committee to look after this Bill.
"INDIA bloc's demand was for a Standing Committee to look after this Bill. But they sent it to JPC without consultation of the Opposition..." He also says, "The abrogation for Article 370 was introduced in the House. CAA also moved there. They said the same at that time too, that it is not anti-Muslim Bill...Who will believe that? Only BJP. The Muslim community will not believe that," K Suresh said.
TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha said that it is good that they have decided to form a JPC to look into it
"The government understood that it would be difficult to pass the bill because many are of the opinion that even though the BJP is showing that it is working for the minorities, they don't have even one MP or leader in top positions from the Muslim community... Seeing everything, it was clear that the government would not be able to sail through it. It is good that they have decided to form a JPC to look into it," Sinha said.
Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) MP Chandra Shekhar Aazad said that he doesn't want politics over Hindu-Muslim, there should be issue-based politics
"We need to think, is the Government a well-wisher of Muslims? Have they formed any laws in the interest of Muslims? Has the Government brought any scheme in the interest of Muslims?... You scrapped Maulana Azad scholarship, you finished the aid to madrasas...This Government is not at all a well-wisher of Muslims. It should answer how did they overrule the Constitution?... We will not sit idle at any cost if you violate the Constitution...The Government has a majority, it can get it passed. We can't stop it. But we will raise our voices if something wrong happens. This is not justice, this is repression...When a JPC will be formed, we will register our objection...You want to weaken Muslims...We have borne the brunt of partition earlier. I don't want politics over Hindu-Muslim, there should be issue-based politics," Aazad said.
National President of All India Muslim Jamaat Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi said that Waqf should be looked at from a completely Islamic point of view.
"Waqf should be looked at from a completely Islamic point of view... Waqf board was formed to maintain the land given by the elders... In the new era, the property of the Waqf has increased by many times. An amendment is necessary... Waqf Board chairman, members and officials were buying and selling land with the help of land mafias... Waqf board diverted from its purpose and got involved in gathering money. We support the amendment but we are against the appointment of non-Muslim members in it. We are against the appointment of a district officer... Appointment of non-Muslims is against the Shariat and the law. Giving the authority to the DM is also wrong... These points must be removed from the amendment," Barelvi said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party later proposed sending the Bill to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC).
"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," Kiren Rijiju said.
Rijijiu gave a detailed reply to the points raised by opposition parties and said the government was acting on recommendations made by a panel constituted when the Congress-led UPA government was in power.
BJP leader Smriti Irani said that this is a very constructive step taken by the government to ensure that the rights of poor Muslim families, especially women and children are protected.
"For years on end, the Muslim community faced challenges with regards to the Waqf Boards in various states, there has been a demand for a change in how a Waqf Board operates... There has been a huge demand from Muslim women in their community for protection. Their inheritance rights were usurped. Women also struggled in some states when the Waqf Boards were giving 'khullas', which means that they were adjudicating on issues of divorce, marriage, and annulment... I am delighted that the provisions of the act and how the Waqf Board are now functions will also leverage technology at a large end... Irrespective of the fact that the government answered every question that the opposition had posed in a collaborative attempt a JPC was formulated... Every Indian under the constitution has the right to ensure that their properties are duly certified by revenue officers, and the new amendment provides for it. Every citizen in the country has the right to approach a court of law which was disallowed by the amendments that were brought forth by the UPA government led by the Congress. The amendments presented today give those rights to the citizens," Irani said.
Delhi State Haj Committee Chairperson, Kausar Jahan said that 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," Jahan said.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said the only goal of the Opposition is to oppose.
"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," Dhami said.

Kashish Warsi, the President of the Indian Sufi Foundation demanded a debate on this Bill and it should be passed.
The Bill has been referred to JPC. It is a new initiative, and suggestions have been invited and the same should be offered...As far as Shariat is concerned, it has nothing to do with Shariat...I say this responsibly - radicals are controlling the Waqf properties today, they are enemies of Sufism. Properties should be freed of them, a committee of Sufis should be set up. Secondly, dargah and mazar are for offering food to the poor, and not to fill one's own pockets. Mazars are being controlled by radicals, they are filling their pockets. There should be a good debate on this Bill and it should be passed," Warsi said.
Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde claimed that the Waqf Bill is in the true sense, for the betterment of the minority Muslim community.
"There has been no prior amendment to the Waqf Bill... Even today, the opposition is against it because they do not want Muslim women to get representation... Congress is repeating its mistake during the Shah Bano case... No one can name any Waqf property that has been put to good use like schools, colleges, or hospitals. This bill will bring about transparency and accountability," Shinde said.
JD(U) MP and Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan said that this law is being made to bring transparency.
"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," Ranjan said.
BJP MP Arun Govil said that Waqf is an organisation that manages properties and the revenue generated from them.
"I dont think its about religion. Waqf is an organisation 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," Govil said.
Former Karnataka CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said that For different reasons including the vote bank, the opposition tried to stall the Bill.
"This is one of the most progressive bills which will take care of the minority Muslim community a great deal and save their properties and more so, all the proceeds of the Waqf should go to women and children... For different reasons including the vote bank, the opposition tried to stall it. But our government's intentions are very clear to do good for minorities. This is drawn from the Sachar Committee and the Rehman Khan Joint Parliamentary Committee, which was formed by Congress and the recommendations are being implemented. It has been a practice of the Congress to disown their own policies," Bommai said.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said that the opposition is just trying to provoke the Muslim community.
"The opposition is just trying to provoke the Muslim community. When the Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju defined and put forward the entire matter, the opposition was rattled... All the complainants are from the Muslim community. The agenda of the opposition to provoke the Muslim community has failed. I urge everyone to listen to the definition put forth by the minister so that it becomes clear how the Waqf Board was misusing the rules and regulations," Tiwari said.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad appealed to the opposition to support the Bill.
says, "Something that which could not be done by Congress-UPA Government, despite all recommendations, is being done by Narendra Modi Government. Be it concern for the poor of the Muslim community, or children or women or the backward or Bohra Muslims and others - so what is the issue here? What problem do you have in giving an account of the land held by you?... I would like to appeal to them that they should support this Bill, this is in the support of the Muslim community."
On the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam said that those who are opposing the amendment bill, are doing so to gain Muslim votes.
"The fact is that a common Muslim has nothing to do with the Waqf board. The government has no control over it and there is no transparency in its functioning. This amendment is to stop the board from dominating the common man and bring more transparency," Nirupam said.
Meanwhile, Janata Dal (United) and TDP supported the Waqf Amendment Bill and YSRCP opposed the Bill.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.