Waqf Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha amid opposition and uproar

NEW DELHI: Despite strong opposition and protests from the INDIA alliance, the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha. Efforts are underway to pass the bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Key NDA allies with significant Muslim support, including TDP, JD(U), LJP, and RLD, stood with the central government on this issue. The bill was introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju at 12:05 PM yesterday, but the debate, lasting over 10 hours, saw Union Home Minister Amit Shah responding aggressively to the opposition's criticism.

Amit Shah highlighted that several locations, including the Chandrashekar Swamy Temple in Tiruchendurai, Tamil Nadu, which is over 1500 years old, have been claimed as Waqf properties.

Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, did not speak during the debate. RSP's MP N.K. Premachandran stated that the bill lacked legal standing. The bill, introduced in August 2024, had been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee before being brought back to the House for discussion. With the Budget Session ending tomorrow, the government is pushing for its passage in Rajya Sabha today itself.

No non-Muslim interference in Waqf matters
Amit Shah clarified that two non-Muslim members would be included in both the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards. However, he emphasized that Waqf is religious and non-Muslim members will not interfere in any religious matters. Their role will be limited to governance and oversight in accordance with the Waqf Act. He also assured that donations and Waqf properties would only be used for their intended purposes.

Christian organizations support the Bill
Amit Shah noted that Christian organizations have expressed support for the bill. Organizations such as the KCBC (Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council), Catholic Bishops’ Council of India, Catholic Congress of Kerala, and others have welcomed the bill. BJP MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur pointed out that over 600 families in Munambam are directly affected by land disputes related to Waqf properties.

"If this bill is not passed now, the Indian Parliament itself might be declared Waqf property someday. In 1970, the Delhi Waqf Board made a similar claim over government land."
-Kiren Rijiju (Minority Affairs Minister)

"The central government is currently against Muslims. Tomorrow, they will go against Christians, Sikhs, and Jains as well."
- KC Venugopal (Congress)

"The BJP government is mentally, physically, socially, and economically oppressing minorities in India. This bill will bring further injustice to Muslims."
-E.T. Mohammed Basheer (Muslim League)