New Delhi:

Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) has become the third ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – and arguably one of the more important – to raise concerns over the government’s Waqf Amendment Bill.

Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has already asked questions of the bill, as has Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party.

The Bihar Chief Minister’s party is believed to want changes in the proposed law to safeguard the interests of the Muslims, who account for 18 per cent of the population of a state that will hold an Assembly election next year. The JDU’s red-flagging is significant given its initial support; party MP Rajiv Ranjan spoke in favour of the legislation during a debate in the Lok Sabha earlier this month.

Mr Ranjan pitched the amendments as a much-needed measure for transparency.

Since then, however, there have been discontent within factions of the JDU, with state Minority Welfare Minister Mohd Zama Khan having met the Chief Minister to express reservations over certain provisions. Rumours say Mr Khan isn’t the only dissenting voice; Water Resources Minister Parliamentary Vijay Kumar Choudhary has spoken about “apprehensions” of the Muslim community.

Mr Choudhary is widely seen as a close aide of the Chief Minister.

Other JDU leaders, such as MLA Ghulam Gous, also expressed doubts, reports have said.

The apparent growing objection to sections of the new law have resulted in JDU Working President Sanjay Jha and Mr Khan meeting Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

NDTV Explains | Non-Muslims On Boards, Council Can’t Claim Land: New Waqf Act

The centre has defended the proposed changes – 44 in total, including mandating representation by Muslim women and non-Muslim, and restricting donors to practicing Muslims of five years or more – as an attempt to ensure transparency in the functioning of central and state Waqf boards.

READ | Waqf Law Change To Help Women, Say Government Sources

Sources told NDTV of a “dangerous narrative” being manufactured by some Muslim clerics.

Sources also said the idea is to empower Muslim women who “suffered” under the old law.

READ | Opposition Targets Non-Muslims Rule, More In “Draconian” Waqf Bill

However the opposition, led by the Congress, has been fiercely critical of the proposals, calling it a “draconian” measure, an “attack on the federal system”, and a violation of fundamental rights.

Speaking after the opposition had its say, Mr Rijiju counterattacked, accusing the Congress of having failed to address issues. “Because you couldn’t… we had to… some people have captured Waqf boards and this bill has been brought to give justice to ordinary Muslims,” he declared.

READ | “No Interference In Any Religious Body”: Rijiju Defends Waqf Bill

Eventually the ferocious squabble over the Waqf Amendment Bill led to it being sent to a joint committee for further scrutiny. The 31-member committee, led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, held its first session on Thursday. The next meeting is scheduled for August 30.

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New Delhi:

Parliament’s Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill met in Delhi for the first time today where officials from the minority affairs and law ministries are briefing them about the various amendments proposed in the draft law.

The 31-member committee, headed by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, has been tasked by the Lok Sabha to scrutinise the contentious bill, which has drawn protests from the opposition parties and Muslim organisations.

The representatives from the minority affairs ministry were expected to brief the committee on the “amendments proposed on the Bill”, the Lok Sabha secretariat said.

The JPC will discuss the bill threadbare and also the concerns over it, Mr Pal said ahead of the meeting, adding that voices of different stakeholders will be heard by the committee “We will discuss all the 44 amendments and bring a good and comprehensive Bill by next session,” he said.

Mr Pal said the committee will call various Muslim bodies representing different sects to hear their views.

The Bill is the first major initiative from the BJP-led NDA government aimed at reforming the registration process for Waqf properties through a centralised portal.

It proposes several reforms, including establishing a Central Waqf Council alongside state Waqf Boards with representation to the Muslim women and non-Muslim representatives.

A contentious provision of the Bill is the proposal to designate the district collector as the primary authority in determining whether a property is classified as Waqf or government land.

The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 and referred to a joint committee of Parliament after a heated debate, with the government asserting that the proposed law did not intend to interfere with the functioning of mosques and the opposition calling it a targeting of Muslims and an attack on the Constitution.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A handful of people captured Waqf boards in the country and ordinary Muslims did not get justice, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told Lok Sabha today, countering the Opposition’s charge on the Waqf (Amendment) Act that was introduced today.

Mr Rijiju said the provisions in the proposed law are based on multiple inquiry reports over the years and wide-ranging consultations with lakhs of stakeholders.

To bolster his arguments, he cited several instances of encroachment and illegality by Waqf bodies. “Tiruchirapalli district is in Tamil Nadu. The 1,500-year-old Sundareshwar temple is located there. There, a man went to sell his property and was told that his village is a Waqf property. Just imagine, the entire village has been declared Waqf property. Don’t see religion here,” he said.

The minister also cited the example of Surat Municipal Corporation. “Surat Municipal Corporation headquarters was declared Waqf property. Can you imagine? How can this happen?”

“I am a Buddhist, not Hindu or Muslim, but I respect all religions. Don’t see this as a religious issue. Is the municipal corporation a private property? How can municipal property be declared Waqf property,” he questioned.

The minister also pointed to a 1976 inquiry report that recommended steps to discipline Waqf boards. He referred to Sachar committee’s recommendations for more representation in Waqf boards. “You should be happy, you made this committee,” he told the Opposition benches.

Playing up the provision in the proposed law that provides for the representation of Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani and other backward classes among Muslims, he said, “If one community is crushing smaller communities, how can this Parliament allow it?”

Mr Rijiju said that the Opposition is rooting for a small section of people capturing power in these bodies and that there is widespread discontent within Muslims for Waqf authorities.

He stressed that provisions in the Bill do not interfere with religious freedom or violate the Constitution in any way. The Centre has agreed to send the legislation to a joint parliamentary committee for scrutiny.

Mr Rijiju claimed that many leaders in the Opposition had privately told him that state Waqf boards had turned into mafia. “I won’t take their names and destroy their political careers,” he said.

Earlier, the Opposition targeted the Centre over the proposed changes over Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Congress’s KC Venugopal termed the proposed law “draconian” and said it is an attack on the freedom of religion and federal system. He also opposed the provision of appointing non-Muslim members to Waqf board.

Samajwadi Party, the second-largest Opposition force, also opposed the Bill. “No person from outside the community is part of other religious bodies. What is the point of including non-Muslims in Waqf bodies?” party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav said.

Defending the legislation, Union Minister and leader of BJP ally JDU, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, said the Bill has been brought to make the functioning of Waqf boards transparent. Countering the Opposition’s charge that the Bill is against minorities, he referred to the 1984 anti-Sik riots in the aftermath of the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “Who killed thousands of Sikhs?” he asked.

The Centre introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha today to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The bill seeks to “effectively address issues” related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is being introduction by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in Lok Sabha.

Samajwadi Party will oppose the Waqf Bill in Parliament, according to the party sources.

The government has decided to withdraw the Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants), Bill, 2014 which was introduced in Rajya Sabha in February 2014, when the Congress-led UPA government was in power.

The monsoon session of Parliament commenced on July 22 and is scheduled to conclude on August 12.

Here are Live Updates on the Parliament Session:
 

Parliament LIVE Updates:

Speaking in Lok Sabha on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says,”…This bill being brought today is based on the report of Sachar committee (which called for reform) which you made (Congress)…”

#WATCH | Speaking in Lok Sabha on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says,”…This bill being brought today is based on the report of Sachar committee (which called for reform) which you made (Congress)…” pic.twitter.com/ud6VKg2l0k

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Monsoon Session Updates:

Defending Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 , Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju says, “With this bill, there is no interference in the freedom of any religious body….Forget about taking anyone’s rights, this bill has been brought to give rights to those who never got them….”

#WATCH | Defending Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 , Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju says, “With this bill, there is no interference in the freedom of any religious body….Forget about taking anyone’s rights, this bill has been brought to give rights to those who never got… pic.twitter.com/cnn10PzwhT

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Parliament LIVE Updates:

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav speaks in Lok Sabha on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 

“Yeh bill jo introduce ho raha hai woh bahut sochi samjhi rajneeti ke tehat ho raha hai…Speaker sir, I heard in the lobby that some of your rights are also going to be taken away and we will have to fight for you….I oppose this bill.”

Responding to Akhilesh Yadav’s claims, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “Akhilesh ji, is tarah ki golmol ki baat aap nahi kar skate..Aap nahi ho Speaker ke adhikar ke sanrakshak.”

#WATCH | Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav speaks in Lok Sabha on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

“Yeh bill jo introduce ho raha hai woh bahut sochi samjhi rajneeti ke tehat ho raha hai…Speaker sir, I heard in the lobby that some of your rights are also going to be taken away and… pic.twitter.com/sy7PRW6I04

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Parliament LIVE Updates:

Opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha, DMK MP Kanimozhi says, “It is a direct violation of Article 30 which deals with minorities to administer their institutions. This bill targets a particular religious group…”

Parliament LIVE Updates:

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 moved in Lok Sabha

Congress MP KC Venugopal says, “…We are Hindus but at the same time, we respect the faith of other religions. This bill is specialized for the Maharashtra, Haryana elections. You do not understand that last time the people of India clearly taught you a lesson. This is an attack on the federal system…”

#WATCH | Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 moved in Lok Sabha

Congress MP KC Venugopal says, “…We are Hindus but at the same time, we respect the faith of other religions. This bill is specialized for the Maharashtra, Haryana elections. You do not understand that last time the… pic.twitter.com/cTrybNbRWo

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Monsoon Session Updates:
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju moves Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha.

Parliament LIVE Updates:

On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay says, “This amendment bill should come through Standing Committee. We (the opposition) will oppose this bill unitedly…”

#WATCH | On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay says, “This amendment bill should come through Standing Committee. We (the opposition) will oppose this bill unitedly…” pic.twitter.com/hYrNcHWkuC

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, “We are not targeting anyone. They (Opposition) want to only create an atmosphere. Our minister will explain in detail when he introduces the bill. They want to misguide some people in the community. They are trying to tarnish the image of India. We are one of the best democracies in the world…”

#WATCH | On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, “We are not targeting anyone. They (Opposition) want to only create an atmosphere. Our minister will explain in detail when he introduces the bill. They want to misguide… pic.twitter.com/8IO2BKQN4Y

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Parliament LIVE Updates:

On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram says, “As I’ve said, the motives of the government are always sinister and I think we will be opposing this bill and there’s been no wider consultation with stakeholders and we think it should be referred to the Standing Committee before it’s brought to passing in the House…”

#WATCH | On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram says, “As I’ve said, the motives of the government are always sinister and I think we will be opposing this bill and there’s been no wider consultation with stakeholders and we… pic.twitter.com/YT23j92zuc

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Parliament LIVE Updates:

Opposition walks out from Rajya Sabha over the issue of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says,”…They (Opposition) think they are the only ones whose hearts are bleeding…The entire nation is in pain because of the girl. everyone is sharing the situation but to monetise it, politicise it, is the greatest disrespect to the girl. That girl has a long way to go…”

#WATCH | Opposition walks out from Rajya Sabha over the issue of Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar says,”…They (Opposition) think they are the only ones whose hearts are bleeding…The entire nation is in pain… pic.twitter.com/XTyrldhgla

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Monsoon Session Updates:

On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatan says, “The opposition while being in power for 70 years have misused the Waqf property and hadn’t used it for the welfare of the minorities. Individual people have looted and encroached on it. PM Narendra Modi wants transparency in it…”

#WATCH | On Union Govt to introduce a Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatan says, “The opposition while being in power for 70 years have misused the Waqf property and hadn’t used it for the welfare of the minorities. Individual people have looted and… pic.twitter.com/0WUHRjn32B

– ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Amid Opposition Protests On Vinesh Phogat, Jagdeep Dhankhar Walks Out

Rajya Sabha Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar – often left sitting while opposition MPs walk out to protest various issues – turned the tables Thursday afternoon, walking out of the House amid demands to discuss wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics from a gold medal bout.

A disgruntled Mr Dhankhar also named Congress MP Jairam Ramesh for “laughing”; “I know your habit…” the Rajya Sabha leader said, as he lamented the lack of respect for the House Chair.

“It is not me… but the post of the Chairperson that is being challenged… it is being challenged because people think the person sitting in the chair is not worthy…” Mr Dhankhar began.

“Attack On Constitution”: Opposition vs Government In Parliament On Waqf Bill

Opposition parties led by the Congress joined ranks to protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha today. The legislation aims to address issues related to powers of State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of Waqf properties and removal of encroachment.

The legislation proposes to amend 44 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act. The Bill proposes that the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards must have two women. It also lays down that money received by the Waqf Board must be used for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans in the manner suggested by the government. Another key proposal is that women’s inheritances must be protected. The provision for including non-Muslim members of Waqf bodies is another contentious point in the proposed law. 

Congress to oppose introduction of Waqf bill

The Congress will oppose the introduction of the bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards in the Lok Sabha, party leaders said.

The issue also was discussed at a meeting of the party’s Lok Sabha MPs that was chaired by Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament House Annexe.

The Congress MPs have decided to oppose the bill, a leader said after the meeting.

• The BJP-led government is slated to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. 
• The bill seeks to “effectively address issues” related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments.
• Even as the INDIA bloc decided to oppose the bill the BJP lashed out at the Congress and its allies claiming that they were standing in the way of much-needed reform.