Key Points
NDA ministers strongly support Waqf Bill amendment in Parliament
Chirag Paswan accuses Opposition of spreading misinformation
Bill aims to improve Waqf property administration transparency
Legislation passed with overwhelming majority in Lok Sabha
Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) president Chirag Paswan, along with Union Minister and Republican Party of India (Athawale) president Ramdas Athawale, expressed their backing for the bill, highlighting that it was passed in the Lok Sabha just 12 hours earlier.
"Everything introduced by the Modi government seems unconstitutional to the Opposition; it becomes a black day. Just like today, there was a black day during CAA, Article 370, and even the whole Lok Sabha election was a black day for them," LJP chief Chirag Paswan told ANI at Parliament premises.
Taking aim at the Opposition, Paswan accused them of misleading people about the bill's intent.
"Most of the opposition leaders spread confusion by giving generalised statements yesterday that this bill is against Muslims. If the system is being strengthened and made transparent for pro-poor Muslims and women, then why are they getting upset? It is natural for those who had made Waqf a hub of corruption to be concerned." he said.
He also took a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for being absent during both the discussion on the Waqf Bill and the debate on the President's Rule in Manipur.
"The LoP himself was absent when the bill was being introduced in the Parliament yesterday. He was also absent when Manipur was being discussed... If the Congress was so concerned, then they should have made a Muslim Chief Minister in Bihar once," he added.
Meanwhile, RPI (Athawale) chief, Ramdas Athawale said, "I think the opposition tries to create confusion, and this bill is not an attack on Muslims. The bill has been passed in Lok Sabha with 288 votes...My party fully supports the bill... It will be passed in the Rajya Sabha. It's a revolutionary step taken by the PM for the Muslims. I thank the govt for this," Athwale told ANI.
The Lok Sabha sat beyond midnight to pass the bill, with Speaker Om Birla later announcing the division's result. "Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal," he said.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, aiming to improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India.
It seeks to address the shortcomings of the previous act while enhancing the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing Waqf records.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the bill for discussion in the Rajya Sabha earlier today, just hours after its passage in the Lower House.
Comments:
Finally some transparency in Waqf management! The opposition always cries foul but never offers solutions. Kudos to the government for this reform 👏
I appreciate the intent behind the bill but wish there was more bipartisan discussion. Both sides need to work together for genuine reforms rather than scoring political points.
The opposition's boycott culture is getting old. If you have concerns, debate them in Parliament! Empty chairs don't make for good opposition.
As a Muslim woman, I welcome any reforms that make the system more transparent and accountable. The opposition should stop fearmongering and let the bill work first before criticizing.
While I support the bill's objectives, the late-night passing seems rushed. Important legislation deserves proper scrutiny and daylight debate. Hope the implementation is better than the process.
The JPC recommendations were incorporated - that's how democracy should work! The opposition's boycott strategy is backfiring badly. They're becoming irrelevant with these tactics.
