Minority Affairs Ministry presents Waqf Bill amid opposition protests
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The Ministry of Minority Affairs gave a detailed presentation on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill during a parliamentary panel meeting on Monday, addressing concerns raised by MPs.
However, opposition members voiced their disapproval, arguing that the ministry's previous consultations over the years did not suggest the need for a new law to replace the existing Waqf Act.
The meeting became tense when opposition MPs questioned the panel's decision to invite depositions from lawyers involved in Supreme Court petitions challenging the inclusion of the words 'socialist' and 'secular' in the Constitution in 1976. Heated exchanges occurred after BJP members defended the decision, with one BJP MP stating that all Indians are stakeholders in any proposed law and that the committee has the authority to invite anyone who can provide valuable input. The MP also argued that the Waqf law has impacted many non-Muslims, underscoring the law's wider implications.
Lawyers Ashwini Upadhyay and Vishnu Shankar Jain, who are part of the SC petitions, had previously appeared before the committee, which is chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.
During the ministry's presentation, some MPs pointed out that the minutes from previous consultations leading up to the amendment did not indicate the need for a new law. Opposition members further noted that, during a meeting in November 2023, the ministry had proposed administrative and technological measures to resolve issues related to the Waqf Act, rather than suggesting an overhaul.
BJP MP Medha Kulkarni, a committee member, submitted an application from the Pune-based NGO Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat, which highlighted 19 cases where the state Waqf board had claimed ownership of properties belonging to others. She asserted that the Waqf board was misusing its power and causing difficulties for people regardless of their religion.
Additionally, Kulkarni presented a representation from the Ismaili Muslim community, objecting to their community being referred to as "Aga Khanis" in the bill, calling it a colloquial term that should be avoided.