New Delhi: In a heated session of the Lok Sabha today, opposition parties led by the Congress united to protest the Waqf Amendment Bill. The proposed legislation seeks to amend 44 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act, to address issues related to the powers of State Waqf Boards, the registration and survey of Waqf properties, and the removal of encroachments.Key provisions and the controversy behind it allOne of the bills significant proposals is the inclusion of two women in both the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards. Additionally, it mandates that funds received by the Waqf Board must be allocated for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans, as per government guidelines. The bill also seeks to protect womens inheritances and controversially proposes the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf bodies.Oppositions strong reactionsCongress leader KC Venugopal condemned the bill as draconian, arguing that it threatens religious freedom and the federal structure. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf boards, questioning the necessity of nominating members from outside the community. He further alleged that the BJP intends to sell off Waqf lands under the guise of these amendments.Governments defenseUnion Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, defending the legislation, asserted that the bill aims to bring transparency to the functioning of Waqf boards. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju added that these amendments were necessary due to the previous governments failures to address issues within the Waqf system. He urged support for the bill, claiming it would benefit ordinary Muslims.Despite the governments defense, opposition members like NCPs Supriya Sule and AIMIMs Asaduddin Owaisi voiced concerns over the lack of detailed consultation and the potential harm to the minority community. The bill, which continues to spark widespread debate, has become a focal point of contention in Parliament.
