Waqf Bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha amid political standoff
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set to be tabled in the Lok Sabha amid heightened political tensions, with both BJP and Congress issuing whips to ensure full attendance. The bill, aimed at improving the management of waqf properties, will be discussed extensively, reflecting the lack of bipartisan consensus in Parliament.
New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI): The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is anticipated to be presented in Parliament on Wednesday, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress instructing their MPs to be present in the House.
As neither the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance nor the Opposition INDIA bloc are showing any signs of bipartisan agreement, the ultimate results may hinge on the majority numbers in the legislature.
The bill is set to be presented for consideration and approval after the Question Hour today, followed by an 8-hour discussion, which could potentially be extended.
In line with the BJP and Congress, their allies have also issued a whip to all their MPs to be present in the parliament on April 2 and 3.
The opposition has been vocal in its criticism of the Waqf Bill, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief whip Dharmendra Yadav issuing a 3-line whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present in the House on April 2 and participate in discussions on the Waqf Amendment Bill.
However, INDIA bloc floor leaders also held a meeting in Parliament to discuss the strategy over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Tuesday.
The bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha on August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under the leadership of Jagdambika Pal for further consideration.
The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties.
The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records .
The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. (ANI)