The opposition parties have strongly opposed the Waqf Board Amendment Bill tabled in the Lok Sabha.
Opposition parties led by the congress joined ranks to protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill in lok sabha today. The legislation aims to address issues related to powers of State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of Waqf properties and removal of encroachment. Union Minority Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju later proposed sending the Bill to a joint parliamentary committee.
The legislation proposes to amend 44 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act. The Bill proposes that the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards must have two women. It also lays down that money received by the Waqf Board must be used for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans in the manner suggested by the government. Another key proposal is that women's inheritances must be protected. The provision for including non-Muslim members of Waqf bodies is another contentious point in the proposed law.
During the discussion of the Bill in lok sabha, Congress's KC Venugopal termed the proposed law "draconian" and said it is an attack on the freedom of religion and federal system. He also opposed the provision of appointing non-Muslim members to Waqf board.
Opposition parties including congress and DMK strongly protested the Bill as it was against minorities. congress MP spoke against the bill. KC Venugopal alleged that the amendment to allow non-Muslims to be members of the Wakfu Board was against religious belief.
Meanwhile, rajya sabha Speaker Jagadeep Dhankar walked out of the house upset as the opposition parties protested against the denial of permission to speak on the disqualification of Vinesh Bhoga.
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