Waqf amendment Bill likely on Wednesday

NEW DELHI: The Waqf Board Bill, sent for amendment by the Standing Committee, is likely to be introduced in the Budget Session of Parliament. It is reported that the bill will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The budget session will resume today after the Ramzan break, but the Waqf Bill is not included in the agenda. Although it can be introduced as a supplementary if desired. The general indication tells that the bill will be introduced on Wednesday.

The central government is likely to hold discussions with party leaders today. The Muslim League had no second thoughts and confirmed it would oppose the bill. The session will conclude on April 4.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused some political parties and organizations of trying to create unrest in society by spreading misunderstandings about the bill's provisions. Rijiju said the government is fully prepared to introduce the bill after consultations with various parties.

Kiren Rijiju:

“Some political parties and organizations are spreading lies to mislead society and create conflicts. The bill is subservient to the interests of Muslims.

It is a false propaganda that the government will seize Muslim properties like mosques and graveyards if the bill becomes law. The law regulating waqf has been in place since the British era. Did any Muslim lose citizenship after the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act despite a similar campaign against it?

The bill is in line with the interests of the majority of Muslims. It is opposed by a few leaders who exploit waqf properties for personal gains.”