New Delhi:

The Opposition MPs have boycotted the Joint Parliamentary meeting to discuss the Waqf amendment bill and wrote to the Speaker demanding that the Committee chairman be removed. Alleging that the Committee is biased, they have sought time from the Speaker to discuss the issue. The Opposition members have alleged that a presentation on the bill by Anwar Manippadi, former Chairman of Karnataka State Minorities Commission and Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation, was not about the Bill. Mr Anwar, they alleged, was just using the occasion malign the Karnataka government and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge.

“We have boycotted because the committee is not functioning with the principles and norms… In terms of ethics and principle, they are wrong,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 and amid massive objections from the Opposition, was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The committee — which has to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the end of the first week of the next parliament session — is now holding a series of informal discussions with various stakeholders.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied Waqf properties.

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Joint panel meeting on Waqf Bill witnesses heated debate

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New Delhi:

The joint committee of Parliament to examine the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will have 31 members — 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha — and will submit its report by the next session.

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Friday adopted a motion moved by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who also holds the parliamentary affairs portfolio, naming the members to be part of the committee.

In the Lower House, 12 members of the panel are from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including eight from the BJP, and nine from the opposition. In the Upper House, four are from the BJP, four from the opposition and one is a nominated member.

The Lok Sabha members in the panel are Jagdambika Pal, Nishikant Dubey, Tejasvi Surya, Aparajita Sarangi, Sanjay Jaiswal, Dilip Saikia, Abhiit Gangopadhyay, DK Aruna (all BJP); Gaurav Gogoi, Imran Masood and Mohammadd Jawed (all Congress); Mohibullah (Samajwadi Party); Kalyan Banerjee (Trinamool Congress); A Raja (DMK); Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (Telugu Desam Party); Dileshwar Kamait (JDU); Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-UBT); Suresh Mhatre (NCP-Sharad Pawar); Naresh Mhaske (Shiv Sena); Arun Bharti (Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas); and Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM).

Those included from the Rajya Sabha are Brij Lal, Medha Vishram Kulkarni, Gulam Ali, Radha Mohan Das Agrawal (all BJP); Syed Naseer Hussain (Congress); Mohammed Nadimul Haque (Trinamool Congress); V Vijayasai Reddy (YSRCP); M Mohamed Abdulla (DMK); Sanjay Singh (AAP); and nominated member Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is expected to name the committee’s chairperson soon. There is a view that BJP’s Mr Pal may head the panel but officials said a final call would be taken by Mr Birla.

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

The committee will submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the next session, Mr Rijiju said.

A delegation of Muslim clerics also met Mr Rijiju to extend its support to the amendments to the Wakf Act, 1995, proposed by the government amid the opposition’s strong criticism.

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

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.