New Delhi: Two days before the conclusion of the budget session of parliament, The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (April 2) with opposition parties walking out of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Tuesday (April 1) accusing the government of “bulldozing its agenda”.
On Tuesday, Union minister for minority affairs and parliamentary affairs Kiren Rijiju said that there was a disagreement on the number of hours to be devoted to the discussion on the Bill during the BAC meeting but did not know the reason why the opposition members walked out.
“We had initially proposed that four hours or six hours, whatever the committee decides the government is okay,” said Rijiju.
“Then there were differences of opinion among various parties. Some wanted four hours, some wanted six hours. Opposition parties wanted 12 hours. Finally there was an agreement that the total eight hours will be allotted which is extendable. After that the opposition parties walked out and I don’t know the reason. The government is honestly and keenly looking forward to having a proper discussion on the Bill,” Rijiju added.
Opposition parties, on the other hand, said that they staged a walkout because the government did not want their voices to be heard.
“The opposition parties have walked out of the BAC meeting in protest. Why? Because the government is simply bulldozing its agenda and not listening to the views of the opposition parties,” said Congress MP and deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi.
Gogoi said that opposition parties had asked for a comprehensive discussion on the Waqf Bill, allocation of time for a discussion on the President’s Rule in Manipur, and discussions on linking EPIC cards with voter IDs which were ignored.
“All opposition parties have demanded this, but it has not been taken up,” said Gogoi.
“The house of the people has become subservient to the government. The whims of the political masters can be seen in the BAC meeting, the space is not being given to the opposition. With no other option, we had to walk out, as they are not giving importance to issues like Manipur, the Waqf Act, Voter ID, and EPIC cards. They do not want to discuss social justice, defense, or external affairs, and are instead simply bulldozing their agenda. This cannot be a House dominated by one party or the ruling party. This is the House of the People,” he added.
Also read: What Concerns About the Waqf Amendment Bill Does the JPC’s Report Identify?
Later on Tuesday evening, both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued whips to its members to be present in the House on Wednesday when the legislation will be taken up by the Lok Sabha. The BJP’s key allies in the Lok Sabha – the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) – have also issued whips to its members to be present in the House.
Meanwhile, a meeting of all floor leaders of opposition parties in both Houses was also held to discuss the Bill. Following the meeting, Congress MP and party president Mallikarjun Kharge said that all opposition parties are united “to defeat the unconstitutional and divisive agenda” of the Modi government on the Waqf Bill.
The Bill has led to widespread criticism from Muslim bodies and opposition parties. After its introduction in August, it was sent to a joint parliamentary committee(JPC).
In a statement on Tuesday evening, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) asked all “secular political parties” to not support the Bill in parliament and said that the legislation is “not only based on discrimination and justice but also directly contradicts the provision of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 25 and 26 of the Indian constitution.”
Also read: Chandrababu Naidu Says Andhra Pradesh Government Committed to Protect Waqf Properties
The Bill is being brought to the Lok Sabha after the JPC submitted its report in January following 44 amendments made by opposition MPs were rejected and 14 from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) camp were accepted. The report was tabled in parliament in February amid protests from opposition members. They had also accused committee chairperson and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal of running the Waqf committee in a “dictatorial manner”.
The Bill seeks to enhance the efficiency of the administration and management of Waqf properties and ensure that the inheritance rights of women are not denied. It crucially omits Section 40, which relates to the powers of Waqf boards to decide if a property is a Waqf property.
Moreover, it seeks to change the composition of the Central Waqf Council and the state Waqf boards, and ensure the representation of Muslim women and include non-Muslims. It also provides for the establishment of a separate ‘Board of Auqaf’ for Boharas and Aghakhanis.
