The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, which has stirred considerable controversy, has been referred to a joint parliamentary committee for further scrutiny. This 31-member panel, comprising 21 MPs from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, will examine the bill and is expected to submit its final report during the next Parliament session. The bill's introduction has sparked intense debates in the Lok Sabha, with the government defending the amendments while opposition parties criticize them as unconstitutional and anti-Muslim.
The motion to form the joint parliamentary committee was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The selected members from the Lok Sabha include prominent figures like Jagdambika Pal, Nishikant Dubey, and Tejasvi Surya from the BJP, as well as Gaurav Gogoi from the Congress and Asaduddin Owaisi from the AIMIM. The Rajya Sabha has been tasked with naming 10 of its members to the committee.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to streamline the registration of waqf properties through a central portal, proposing to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act. The term "waqf" refers to properties permanently dedicated to religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law, which cannot be revoked or transferred once designated as such.
Despite the government's assurances that the amendments are not intended to interfere with mosque operations, opposition parties have raised alarms, viewing the bill as a targeted measure against the Muslim community. They argue that it infringes on constitutional rights and undermines the autonomy of Muslims in managing their religious and charitable affairs.
Opposition MPs, particularly from the INDIA bloc, have voiced strong opposition to the bill, accusing the government of introducing it with an eye on upcoming assembly elections and to appease a segment of its hardcore supporters. Congress MP K C Venugopal described the bill as a "draconian law" and a fundamental attack on the Constitution, warning that it could set a dangerous precedent for other religious communities.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards, questioning why similar practices are not implemented in other religious bodies. He argued that the bill is politically motivated and aimed at marginalizing Muslims.
The Indian Union Muslim League's (IUML's) ET Mohammed Basheer claimed the bill violates several constitutional articles, including Articles 14, 15, 25, 26, and 30, which protect religious freedoms and minority rights. He warned that passing the bill could lead to the collapse of the Waqf system.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his concerns about the bill's constitutionality, arguing that it undermines the principle of judicial independence and the separation of powers. He claimed that the House lacked the competence to make such amendments, viewing the bill as a grave threat to the basic structure of the Constitution.
As the joint parliamentary committee begins its work, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is poised to remain a flashpoint in Indian politics, with significant implications for the relationship between the government and the country's Muslim community.
Â
