The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has sparked intense debate in the Lok Sabha, drawing strong opposition and heated exchanges among members of parliament.
Opposition Voices Concerns
RSP MP NK Premachandran voiced his strong disapproval of the bill, stating, “You are totally disempowering the Waqf Board and the Waqf council… You are dismantling the system. It is against the principles of the Constitution. I caution the government that if this law is put through judicial scrutiny, then it will definitely be struck down.”
Echoing similar sentiments, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule urged the government to reconsider the bill. “I request the government to either withdraw this bill completely or send it to a standing committee… Please do not push agendas without consultations,” she said.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Expresses Frustration
In a dramatic turn of events, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar temporarily ceased presiding over the House and left, expressing his frustration with the lack of support. “Making this sacred House a centre of anarchy, attacking Indian democracy, tarnishing the dignity of the post of the Speaker, this is not just indecent conduct, this is conduct that crosses all limits… What I have been seeing in recent days and the way the challenge is being given through words, letters, through newspapers, how many wrong comments have been made. This challenge is not being given to me but this challenge is being given to the post of the Chairman. And this challenge is being given because they (opposition) think that the person sitting on this post is not worthy of it,” Dhankhar said.
Government and Allies Defend the Bill
BJP MP Hema Malini defended the bill, criticizing the opposition’s stance. “The opposition always opposes, that’s their work. They label good things as bad. The PM has brought many good schemes, but they say that all these things are wrong. I have also seen it from the last 10 years,” she stated.
JD(U) MP and Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan also spoke in favor of the bill, challenging the opposition’s arguments. “How is it against Muslims? This law is being made to bring transparency… The opposition is comparing it with temples, they are diverting from the main issue… KC Venugopal (Congress) should explain how thousands of Sikhs were killed…which taxi driver killed Indira Gandhi? Now, they are talking about minorities,” Ranjan said.
The debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, highlights deep divisions within the parliament, raising questions about transparency, minority rights, and the legislative process.