Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju introduces Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha

New Delhi| Union Minister for Minority Affair Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha. This bill has been strongly opposed by the parties of India alliance including Congress and SP. There was a huge uproar in the Lok Sabha regarding this bill. Congress MP KC Venugopal opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, saying that ‘the bill is a fundamental attack on the Constitution. Through this bill they are providing that non-Muslims will also be members of the Waqf Governing Council. This is a direct attack on freedom of religion.’ However, this bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati gave a statement on social media site X reacting to the Waqf Board Bill issue. She wrote, “Forced interference by the Central and UP governments in matters like mosque, madrassa, Waqf etc. and excessive interest in religious matters like temples and monasteries is contrary to the Constitution and its principle of secularism, that is, what is the need for such narrow and selfish politics? The government should follow the national religion. Under the guise of temple-mosque, caste, religion and communal frenzy etc., Congress and BJP etc. did a lot of politics and also took a lot of electoral benefits from it, but now reservation is ending in the country and poverty, unemployment, inflation, backwardness etc. Time to prove true patriotism by focusing on it.’

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the bill being presented is being done under very well thought out politics. He said that I have heard in the lobby that some of your rights are being snatched away and we have to fight for you. I oppose this bill. On this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, Akhilesh ji, can’t you do such a vague thing. You are not the guardian of the authority of the Speaker.