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‘Opposition deceptive Muslims …’: Govt defends proposed modifications in Waqf Act; Congress hyperlinks it to meeting elections | India Information

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NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Thursday witnessed sharp exchanges between the federal government and the opposition as Union minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju launched the Waqf (Modification) Invoice to “appropriate the wrongs achieved by the Congress up to now.” The federal government justified the proposed amendments and mentioned it aimed to empower the marginalised teams throughout the Muslim neighborhood, however the opposition known as the Invoice “discriminatory and arbitrary” and linked it to the year-end meeting elections in some states.
The Invoice, which amends the Waqf Act, 1995, seeks to “successfully tackle” points associated to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removing of encroachments. Rijiju additionally launched a Invoice to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. Its assertion of objects and causes acknowledged that the colonial-era laws has grow to be outdated and insufficient for efficient administration of Waqf property in trendy India.
Introducing the Invoice, Rijiju mentioned “It’s my success that being non-Muslim, I get alternative to carry a Invoice for welfare of Muslims.” The Invoice was later referred to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for wider consultations.
The Union minister accused the opposition of deceptive the Muslims and claimed that there have been many throughout the opposition ranks who assist the Invoice however are silent on account of their celebration’s stand on the difficulty.
“They (Opposition) are deceptive Muslims. Until final night time, Muslim delegations got here to me. Many MPs have informed me that the mafia has taken over Waqf boards. Some MPs have mentioned that they assist the invoice however cannot say it on account of their political events. I cannot take anybody’s identify in order that their political profession just isn’t ruined,” Rijiju mentioned.
The Union minister asserted that the federal government had held multi-layered country-wide consultations earlier than introducing the Invoice.
“We now have held multi-layered country-wide consultations on this invoice. All of the backward Muslims and the chairman of the Waqf Boards of 19 states and UTs began the dialogue. A dialogue was held with widespread Muslims in 2023. At the moment a gathering was held in Mumbai and recommendations have been made as to what must be achieved to enhance the State Waqf Board. Within the Lucknow assembly, discussions have been held with the top-level individuals of the UP State Waqf Board, and the views of the widespread individuals have been additionally heard. All of them mentioned that this modification is required,” Rijiju mentioned.
The Union minister asserted that no provision of the proposed Invoice interfered with the liberty of any faith, nor did it violate any article of the Structure.
Nevertheless, the opposition was not satisfied because it known as it a draconian legislation and a basic assault on the Structure.
Congress MP Okay C Venugopal accused the federal government of violating the fitting to freedom of faith and claimed the laws was being introduced with a watch on the upcoming meeting polls. He mentioned individuals had taught the BJP a lesson — in Lok Sabha polls — for its divisive politics however the saffron celebration is continuous with the identical, holding in thoughts the upcoming meeting elections in states similar to Maharashtra. “It’s a direct assault on freedom of faith … Subsequent you’ll go for Christians, then Jains,” he mentioned.
Samajwadi Get together chief Akhilesh Yadav mentioned the Invoice was being launched to appease the BJP’s hardcore supporters. “What’s the level of together with non-Muslims in Waqf boards when this isn’t achieved in different spiritual our bodies?” Yadav requested.
“The reality is that the BJP has introduced this Invoice to appease its hardcore supporters,” the Kannauj MP mentioned, including that it was introduced with a watch on the polls.
Nationalist Congress Get together (NCP)-Sharadchandra Pawar MP Supriya Sule mentioned her celebration opposed the Invoice because it was in opposition to a specific minority neighborhood. “Take a look at what is occurring in Bangladesh, there’s a lot ache. It’s the ethical responsibility of a rustic to guard minorities,” she mentioned.
“The federal government ought to make clear the intent and the timing of the Invoice. We object, withdraw this Invoice. Let’s focus on it after which carry a Invoice that’s truthful and simply,” she demanded.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chairperson Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that the Home didn’t have the competence to make the amendments. “It’s a grave assault on the essential construction of the Structure because it violates the precept of judicial independence and separation of powers,” he mentioned. “You might be enemies of Muslims and this Invoice is proof of that,” Owaisi mentioned.
Nevertheless, Rijiju strongly refuted all opposition objections and justified the proposed amendments.
The Union minister mentioned within the earlier legislation, there was no provision to problem or evaluate the order or judgement of the tribunal. Now, provision was being made for verdicts to be challenged at greater courts, the minister mentioned.
“In our nation, no legislation generally is a tremendous legislation and that may’t be above the Structure. Nevertheless, within the 1995 Wakf Act, there are provisions which are above the provisions within the Structure. Should not that be modified?” he requested.
“The wrongs which you might have achieved, now, we’re correcting these,” Rijiju mentioned, hitting out on the Congress.
To justify the necessity for reforms in previous legislation, the Union minister cited instances when a whole village in Tamil Nadu was declared Waqf land. Equally, the Surat municipal company headquarters was declared Waqf property, he mentioned and requested how is that this doable.
(With inputs from businesses)



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