NDA allies JDU TDP back Modi-led government on Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024
NDA allies JDU TDP back Modi-led government on Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024
It comes as a massive victory for the Centre as NDA allies JDU and TDP back Modi-led government on Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024
Notedly, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday tabled the bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards.
The bill also proposes to include Muslim women and non-Muslims in the Waqf Boards.
Once passed, this bill will give the government the right to regulate Waqf properties.
Union Minister and Senior JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh took the opposition to task and voicing that the bill wasn’t against Muslims, did not promote religious divide.
The law is initiated for transparency and ironically, the opposition is comparing it with temples and diverting from the main issue. The leader of JD(U) has urged KC Venugopal to explain how thousands of Sikhs were killed. Which taxi driver killed Indira Gandhi? Now, they are talking about minorities.
He further went on to add that there is a difference between temple boards and institutions. While opposing the bill, KC Venugopal pointed out that it is an open assault on the Constitution and that people of India will not digest this kind of divisive politics now.
Furthering that It is a direct attack on freedom of religion. Next it will be Christians, then Jains. People of India will not digest this kind of divisive politics now. The Alappuzha MP also linked the bill to the upcoming elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.
He further stressed that last time they did not understand that the people of India clearly taught them a lesson. This is an attack on the federal system. The TDP, on the other hand, mentioned that it was the government’s responsibility to bring reforms and streamline the purpose.
The TDP also said that the government has no issues in sending the bill to the select committee. Not only the TDP and JD(U), another key NDA ally Shiv Sena backed the bill, saying that the bill talks about giving representation to Muslim women.
The Shiv Sena also alleged that the Opposition is against this bill to save its vote bank, while adding that the Waqf has around 85,000 cases pending. Moreover, on the proposed bill, Kannauj MP Akhilesh Yadav said that the bill is being introduced as part of a political game.
He also said that no other religious body has people following other faiths as members of their boards and organisations.Yadav also accused BJP of pandering to some of its frustrated supporters through this bill.
Further adding that the bill is being introduced as part of a larger political game. Some of Speaker’s rights are also going to be taken away and they will indulge in a battle. He opposes the bill.
Replying to Akhilesh Yadav, as per Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he should stop talking in circles. “Akhilesh ji, stop talking in circles, you are not the saviour of the Speaker’s rights.”
Baramati MP Supriya Sule urged the government to either roll back the bill completely or to send it to a standing committee and not to push agendas without consultations.
Meanwhile Asaduddin Owaisi warns Centre over likely amendments to Waqf Board and there will be administrative chaos.
In the interim, SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on BJP over new Waqf Board amendments
and that ‘BJP is acting like a real estate company.
Kiren Rijiju also targeted oppposition Congress over Waqf Amendment Bill saying that they are doing what you couldn’t ever do’
Kiren Rijiju attacks Oppn, Congress over Waqf Amendment Bill: ‘We’re doing what you couldn’t ever do’.
News Edit K.V.Raman
