New Delhi: The BJP-led NDA government introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, sparking significant controversy. Tabled by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the bill was met with fierce criticism from opposition members.
Congress MP KC Venugopal denounced the bill as a “fundamental attack on the Constitution and a direct assault on the right to religion.” He argued that while Hindus respect all faiths, this bill is a strategic move targeting the upcoming elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. “The people of India taught you a lesson last time. This is an attack on the federal system,” Venugopal asserted.
Earlier, Venugopal, along with Congress MP Hibi Eden, sought to block the bill’s introduction in Parliament. Eden, in his notice, described the bill as “unconstitutional,” claiming it conflicts with the Right to Property (Article 300A). He argued that the bill could infringe on the property rights of individuals and religious institutions without sufficient legal safeguards. Additionally, Eden contended that the bill violates the Fundamental Right of Religious Freedom under Article 25.
AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi strongly criticized the BJP, labeling the bill as a tool to marginalize Muslims. “You are dividing the nation… you are the enemy of Muslims,” Owaisi stated. He further argued that the bill undermines the Constitution’s basic structure by violating the principles of judicial independence and the separation of powers.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the bill serves the vested interests of the BJP. “The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is just an excuse to sell land for the benefit of BJP members,” he claimed.
DMK MP Kanimozhi also condemned the bill, calling it a direct violation of the Constitution. She argued that the bill specifically targets a “particular religious group” and infringes on Article 30, which protects the rights of minorities to manage their institutions.
Samajwadi Party MP Mohibullah Nadvi argued that the bill threatens religious freedom by allowing the appointment of non-Muslims to the central Waqf council and similar bodies, infringing on the rights of Muslims. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram accused the government of having “sinister” motives, stating that there had been no broad consultation with stakeholders and demanding that the bill be referred to a Standing Committee before any further action.
In defense, Minister Rijiju insisted that the bill does not interfere with the freedom of any religious body. “This bill is meant to give rights to those who have been deprived, not to take away anyone’s rights,” Rijiju argued. He accused the opposition of misleading the public about the bill’s intentions and emphasized that “no law can be above the Constitution,” suggesting that the 1995 Waqf law has problematic provisions. Rijiju also noted that the bill would be sent to a Parliamentary Committee for review.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to curtail the powers of Waqf Boards by requiring government verification before a board can declare a property as Waqf. It proposes the removal of Section 40, which currently allows the board to determine whether a property is Waqf. The bill also calls for the inclusion of non-Muslims and Muslim women on Waqf boards and proposes a separate board for the Bohara and Aghakhani communities. Additionally, it aims to ensure representation for Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis, and other backward classes among Muslim communities.
