On Friday, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam launched a scathing attack on the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) for its stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Nirupam questioned the partys decision to abstain from voting on the bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. “Yesterday when the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, many leaders of the INDIA alliance objected. Nine MPs from Shiv Sena (UBT) abstained from voting. I want to ask, did you abstain for Muslim votes Shiv Sena (UBT) must clarify whether they support this bill or not,” Nirupam told ANI.Deora slams Uddhav Thackerays campIn a similar vein, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora criticized the Uddhav Thackeray faction over their opposition to the bill. “Today in Parliament, the true nature of Uddhav Thackerays UBT representatives and their hypocrisy was exposed. All UBT representatives were absent during the Waqf Board Bill discussion. Muslims voted for you, but why this silence in return Muslims will seek answers from UBT MPs,” Deora stated on X.Shiv Sena condemns the billThe Shiv Sena (UBT), a member of the INDIA bloc, has vehemently opposed the bill, labeling it as anti-Muslim. “Every reform introduced by the BJP seems to serve their agenda of polarization. This bill is anti-Muslim, anti-religion, and undermines the federal structure. It has been sent to a joint committee, and if they attempt to infringe on anyones rights, we will oppose it strongly,” Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi told ANI.Bill sent to joint parliamentary committeeThe Central Government has announced the formation of a 31-member joint parliamentary committee, including 21 Lok Sabha MPs and 10 Rajya Sabha MPs, to review the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the bill on Thursday and proposed sending it to the committee following objections from opposition parties.Congress MP KC Venugopal criticized the bill as an “attack on the federal system.” “We are Hindus but respect other religions. This bill appears to be designed for the Maharashtra and Haryana elections. The people of India have already made their stance clear in the last elections. This bill is an attack on the federal system,” Venugopal said.
