Meanwhile, Congress MP KC Venugopal criticised the government for rushing the bill through Parliament, alleging that lawmakers were not given sufficient time to propose amendments.
Published Apr 02, 2025 | 1:53 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 02, 2025 | 5:12 PM
Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju.
Synopsis: The union government tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha for consideration. Rijiju said that it was the first time that a Joint Committee of both Houses discussed the Waqf bill. He claimed that he would show everyone the transformational effects of the bill a year after its implementation.
Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday, 2 April, tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha for consideration.
After accusing the Opposition of trying to mislead the people, Rijiju expressed hope that all parties would support the bill.
“It was your (Opposition) insistence that a Joint Parliamentary Committee should be formed. We do not have a committee like the Congress. We have a democratic committee, which brainstorms. ‘Congress ke zamane mein committee hoti thi jo thappa lagati thi’. Our committee discusses, deliberates on the basis of discussions and makes changes. If the changes are not to be accepted, then what is the point of the committee?” asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reported ANI.
Rijiju said that it was the first time ever that a Joint Committee of both Houses discussed the Waqf bill.
“I thank and congratulate all the members of the Joint Committee…Till date, a total of 284 delegations from the state holders of different communities have presented their views and suggestions before the committee. Waqf boards of 25 state governments and union territories have also presented their submissions.”
Further, Rijiju said: “Parliament was being claimed as Waqf” and added that it was the Modi government that stopped its takeover by the Waqf Board.
Rijiju, addressing concerns over religious influence in the administration of Waqf properties, said: “It is our endeavour to make the Waqf Board a truly secular institution.”
“This bill, which we are discussing, is not new. The history of this bill dates back to pre-Independence in 1913 when the ‘Mussalman Waqf Validating Act’ was passed. Later, in 1923, the ‘Mussalman Waqf Act’ was brought in which accounting and transparency were in focus. After Independence, in 1954, the Waqf Act was incorporated. State Waqf Board was included in this Waqf Act, 1954,” he said.
“Those supporting and opposing this Bill will be remembered for years. The Waqf properties cannot be left idle; they must serve the poor Muslims,” Rijiju said.
“This law is prospective, not retrospective. Let me state clearly — no one is taking away any property of Muslims. Registered properties will remain unaffected,” the minister said.
He claimed that he would show everyone the transformational effects of the bill a year after its implementation.
“After supporting the bill, you all (Opposition) come to my office after one year… I will let you know about the transformational impact (of the bill). We have incorporated and accepted several recommendations of the JPC in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill… to say that JPC’s recommendations were not taken is wrong,” Rijiju said.
“The provisions of the Waqf Board have nothing to do with the management of any mosque, temple, or religious site. It is simply a matter of property management. However, Waqf properties are managed by the Waqf Board and the Mutawalli. If someone fails to understand this basic distinction or deliberately chooses not to, then I have no solution for that,” he said.
Rijiju further said the Waqf Bill would not interfere in any religious system, any religious institution, or any religious practice in any way.
“The role of the Waqf Board is to supervise the management of Waqf properties by mutawallis and those handling Waqf affairs. This is purely a provision for governance and supervision. In no way does the Waqf Board manage Waqf properties,” Rijiju said.
Meanwhile, Congress MP KC Venugopal criticised the government for rushing the bill through Parliament, alleging that lawmakers were not given sufficient time to propose amendments.
“You are forcing this legislation through without proper discussion. There must be adequate time to move amendments, but we have not been given that opportunity,” he remarked.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, responding to the introduction of the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, said that Rijiju, in his speech, misled the House when he was referring to UPA rule in 2013.
Gogoi also accused the government in the Lok Sabha of attempting to “dilute the Constitution” through the Waqf Amendment Bill. “This bill aims to dilute the Constitution, defame minority communities, divide Indian society, and disenfranchise minorities,” the Congress leader alleged.
“Today, they are targeting the land of one community, tomorrow, they will target another,” he warned.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
