However, the Opposition has termed the Bill a "targeted legislation" and "fundamentally against the Constitutional provision."
Digital Desk: Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha, sparking heated political arguments from the opposition. Initiating an eight-hour discussion on the bill, the Union Minister hit out at the Congress, saying that the Bill is not intended to interfere in any religious practice or the management of any mosque.
However, the Opposition has termed the Bill a "targeted legislation" and "fundamentally against the Constitutional provision."
Deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi slammed the Narendra Modi-led government. He said that the Bill is an attack on the basic structure of the constitution. He argued that the government is trying to dilute the constitution, defame minority communities, and divide the Indian society through the Bill.
The Bill was introduced in Parliament last year to amend the Waqf Act, of 1995, to address issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties. It seeks to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.
The Bill is receiving widespread criticism because of its debatable provisions. It allows a non-Muslim to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Waqf board, making a provision for at least two non-Muslim members to be appointed by the state governments to their state's Waqf board, giving the District Collector the power to determine if a disputed property is Waqf or belong to the government. The Bill mandates that every Waqf property is to be registered on a central database within six months of the law's commencement, and removal of the provision that made the Tribunal's decision final.
Leave A Comment