NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (amendment) Bill well past midnight on Wednesday after a marathon 12-hour-long debate, with Home Minister Amit Shah categorically assuring the Muslim community that the new Bill does not interfere with their religious practices.
Indian lawmakers are currently engaged in heated debates over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, a significant piece of legislation proposing changes to the governance of properties valued at billions of dollars that were donated by Indian Muslims over centuries. The bill, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, aims to enhance transparency in the management of waqf properties – a term referring to these charitable endowments.
However, the bill has sparked strong opposition from various parties and Muslim organizations, who argue that it threatens to undermine the constitutional rights of India’s largest religious minority. Initially proposed in August of last year, the bill faced scrutiny and was referred to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) following widespread protests from opposition lawmakers.
Recent reports indicate that the revised version of the bill, presented by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, includes 25 amendments recommended by a committee that featured a mix of opinions, reflecting the contentious nature of the discussions.
For the bill to be passed in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of parliament), it must secure more than half of the votes, which amounts to at least 272. While most opposition parties, including the Congress, are anticipated to oppose the bill, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are expected to have sufficient support to ensure its passage unless there is a substantial unexpected turn of events.
Following its approval in the Lok Sabha, the bill will move to the Rajya Sabha (the upper house) for further deliberation. If both houses approve it, the legislation will be forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu for her signature, which is the final step before it becomes law.
Strong Opposition from Muslims
Almost all Muslim religious, political, and social groups in India are opposed to this bill. They fear that once the bill becomes law, the millions of acres of land that their ancestors have bequeathed as waqf will suddenly be seized from them, leading to government control over it.
They have serious objections to some provisions of the Waqf Amendment Bill. Muslims have protested against this bill in various parts of the country, and during Eid, they wore black armbands in protest.
Muslim organizations have announced plans to launch a nationwide protest campaign if the bill is passed.
An eight-hour debate on this bill will take place in the Lok Sabha, and the duration can be extended if necessary.
During the debate, BJP Member of Parliament and former Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated, “If this law enhances the regulation of waqf land and improves the funding of such properties, leading to increased trust among the (Muslim) community, then what problem does the opposition have with it?”
However, Congress Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi responded, “Their (BJP’s) sights are set on land belonging to a specific community; tomorrow they will target land belonging to other communities. We are not against the amendments, but the amendments they have proposed will only exacerbate the issue.”
