New Delhi:

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader, speaking in Lok Sabha yesterday, questioned the calls to survey or demolish some mosques across the country amid debates over the Places of Worship Act. Speaking during a debate on 75 years of the Constitution of India, the Hyderabad MP also accused the Centre of trying to “snatch away” Waqf properties.

“Today, I am being asked if there was a mosque 500 years ago… If I dig up this Parliament and something will be found, will it become mine?” Mr Owaisi said.

His remarks came days after the Supreme Court paused the ongoing surveys of places of worship, including mosques.

In his nearly 9-minute speech, he also expressed his concern over the situation of minorities.

“What Babasaheb said 75 years ago remains absolutely true even today – no one wants the minority to share power,” the 55-year-old leader said.

“Let me explain the measure of success of parliamentary democracy. Articles 25, 26, 29, 30, 14, and 21-these fundamental rights form the foundation. By focusing on these, I will illustrate whether justice has truly been served to the weaker sections of society,” he said, citing incidents of harassment against Muslims.

AIMIM अध्यक्ष बैरिस्टर @asadowaisi ने लोकसभा में “भारत के संविधान की 75 वर्षों” पर चर्चा के दौरान अपनी बात रखी। संविधान में दिए गए हुक़ूक़ भारत के मुसलमानों के लिए अधूरे रह गए हैं।#asaduddinowaisi#parliamentwintersession2024#75yearsOfConstitution#asadowaisi… pic.twitter.com/9bgmRxDTpF

— AIMIM (@aimim_national) December 14, 2024

Referring to the Waqf Amendment bill, Mr Owaisi said the goal of the central government is to “snatch away Waqf properties”.

“You want to snatch it away on the basis of your strength,” he said.

ALSO READ | ‘Those Looking For Temples Under Mosques Don’t Want Peace’: Akhilesh Yadav

The bill requires 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.

Opposition parties have alleged that the amendments proposed by the bill violate the religious rights of Muslims. The government, however, has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency to the functioning of the waqf boards and make them accountable.

“Read Article 26, it gives religious denominations, the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) says that Waqf has nothing to do with the Constitution. Who is teaching the PM? Make him read Article 26,” he said.

Warning that soon farmers will barge into the residences of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday urged the State government to correct the problem regarding waqf properties.

“How long will you mislead people? You promote one community. The Congress is dividing people on the basis of caste and community. Apologise to the people and set things right. Otherwise, the people will barge into your homes. Recently, a Congress MLC had said that people will barge into the residence of the Governor like in Bangladesh,” he told presspersons at Channapatna during a campaign rally.

Stating that no files related to waqf property had come before him when he was the Chief Minister, Mr. Kumaraswamy accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of making irresponsible statements that decisions on waqf land had been taken during the term of B.S. Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai, and himself.

“No file to provide land of farmers, mutts, or Ramanagara Guddebetta to the waqf board had come before me. Do not try to shift the blame onto others. In case I have committed a mistake, expose it before the people. I do not know why he has said that.”

The Union Minister further stated: “Even if something like that happened during my tenure, the Congress was responsible. Krishna Byre Gowda was Revenue Minister then and B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan was also the Waqf Minister then.”

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.