‘Deliberate effort to dilute Constitution’: Govt vs opposition in Lok Sabha over Waqf Bill; who said what

Last year, the bill was introduced in Parliament, following which it was sent to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) headed by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal

The Lok Sabha witnessed a stormy start on Wednesday as the Centre reintroduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Bill for discussion and approval in the Lower House.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill aims to amend a 1995 Act governing Waqf properties in India. The amendments, the Centre has said, are aimed at improving the management of Waqf properties in the country.

Last year, the bill was introduced in Parliament, following which it was sent to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) headed by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal for further scrutiny amid uproar by the Opposition.

While the Opposition parties have opposed the legislation as “unconstitutional” and plan to continue doing so, Rijiju has clarified that the bill does not interfere in any religious system, institution or practice.

Government vs Opposition on Waqf Amendment Bill: A look at who said what in the Parliament

Government

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju

- A total of 97,27,772 petitions have been received in various forms—online, physical, as memorandums, requests, and suggestions. The government has carefully considered all of them, whether through the JPC or direct submissions.

- The provisions of the Waqf Board have nothing to do with the management of any mosque, temple, or religious site. It is simply a matter of property management. The government is not going to interfere in any religious system, any religious institution, or any religious practice in any way through the bill.

- A case was ongoing since 1970 in Delhi involving several properties, including the CGO Complex and the Parliament building. The Delhi Waqf Board had claimed these as Waqf properties. The case was in court, but at that time, the UPA government denotified 123 properties and handed them over to the Waqf Board. If we had not introduced this amendment today, even the Parliament building we are sitting in could have been claimed as Waqf property.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

-On Opposition’s insistence, the bill was sent to a joint parliamentary committee. The committee scrutinised the bill and shared its suggestions.

-No non-Islamic member will be a part of Waqf. There is neither any provision for the appointment of a non-Muslim to manage the religious institution, nor do we intend to introduce any such provision. A rumour is being spread that this Act is aimed at interfering with the religious practices of our Muslim brothers and their donated property. This is being done to intimidate the minorities.

BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad

-I want to raise this question before Parliament—how many schools have been built on Waqf property? How many hospitals, skill centers, and orphanages have been established on Waqf land? How many widows, daughters, and sisters have been trained in stitching, embroidery, and livelihood skills? If Waqf land is regulated properly through this action, leading to better funding and benefiting the community, why does it become a problem for some?

Anurag Thakur

-Time has come to bring change because the Waqf system has become a hub of corruption and exploitation

-Several organisations like Catholic Bishops Conference of India, Church of Bharat, Kerala Council of Churches and Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council, All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council and Muslim Rashtriya Manch have supported the bill. I thank them for this.

Opposition

Congress MP KC Venugopal

- This type of bill (Waqf Amendment Bill) that you are bringing into the House, at least the members must have the power to give amendments.

-Yesterday, this bill was brought to the members' attention around afternoon, leaving less time for members to move amendments. You are bulldozing the legislation.

- You need to give time for amendment. There are several provisions to be amended. There is no time at all.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi

- This bill is a deliberate effort to dilute the Constitution, defame minority communities, divide Indian society, and ultimately disenfranchise minorities.

-Today, they (government) are targeting the land of one community, tomorrow, they their eyes will be on the land of other minorities of the society.

-They (the government) want to spread confusion that the current Act is against women, that currently women do not get any role. All these provisions are already there in the law.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav

-Whenever BJP brings up a new Bill, it hides its failure. BJP is talking about identifying the land of Muslim brothers so that the issue of identifying the Hindus who have died or lost in Maha Kumbh can be covered up.

-This Waqf Bill is not being brought with any hope; it is part of a well-thought-out strategy because their (government's) vote has collapsed. They want division even among Muslims. I, along with my party and allies, the Samajwadi Party, strongly oppose this bill. If voting takes place, we will vote against it.