Kiren Rijiju Slams Opposition For 'Fearmongering', Staging Walkout During Waqf Bill Debate

The Centre has scheduled an eight-hour debate on the amended Waqf Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, a session expected to be contentious due to fierce opposition from both the opposition and various Muslim organisations.

A hint of the impending clash emerged on Tuesday when the opposition staged a walkout from the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting, chaired by the Speaker, after a heated dispute over the time allocated for the Waqf Bill discussion.

Photo Credit: Sansad TV via PTI Photo

While speaking to India Today, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju remarked that the opposition's walkout was merely a pretext to dodge debate on the bill, which would grant the government authority over regulating waqf properties and resolving disputes.

"We want a discussion on the Waqf bill, but the opposition is only resorting to fearmongering and trying to obstruct the legislation. The walkout by the opposition today was an excuse to avoid discussion. The Christian community is also supporting the bill," Rijiju said.

Last week, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) called on MPs from the state, regardless of political affiliation, to back the Waqf Bill.

The opposition, spearheaded by the Congress, has branded the bill unconstitutional and detrimental to the Muslim community's interests.

With the support of NDA allies, the government is unlikely to encounter obstacles in passing the bill during the current parliamentary session, which concludes on 4 April.

WHAT IS THE WAQF BILL?

The Waqf Bill, which seeks to revise a decades-old law governing properties worth crores donated by Muslims, was introduced in Parliament in August last year.

Following protests from the opposition, it was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, for review. The bill, incorporating 14 amendments, received approval from the Union Cabinet in February.

Among the proposed changes to the Waqf Bill are alterations to the makeup of waqf boards, mandating the inclusion of non-Muslim members.

It also requires every waqf property to be logged in a central database within six months of the law's enactment, though the Waqf Tribunal can extend this deadline under specific conditions.

In disputes, a state government official will have the authority to decide whether a property qualifies as waqf or belongs to the government. This clause has sparked significant controversy, with Muslim groups contending that the official is likely to favour the government's position.