Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Defends Waqf Amendment Bill Against INDIA Bloc Criticism

Launching a scathing attack against opposition parties for opposing the Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday said that they (the opposition) want to misguide some people in the community and are trying to tarnish India’s image.

“We are not targeting anyone. They (the opposition) want only to create an atmosphere. Our minister will explain in detail when he introduces the bill. They want to misguide some people in the community and are trying to tarnish India’s image. We are one of the best democracies in the world,” said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.

Meanwhile, RJD MP Misa Bharti stated that the INDIA alliance parties and RJD will oppose this bill. She added, “The government is not addressing issues of unemployment and inflation.”

Calling the government’s motives “sinister,” Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, “As I’ve said, the government’s motives are always sinister, and I think we will be opposing this bill. There has been no wider consultation with stakeholders, and we believe it should be referred to the Standing Committee before it is brought to a vote in the House.”

Showcasing opposition to the Waqf amendment, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, “This amendment bill should go through the Standing Committee. We (the opposition) will oppose this bill unitedly.”

Notably, apart from introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Kiren Rijiju will also introduce The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which seeks to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes renaming the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995. It seeks to clearly define “waqf” as a waqf by any person practicing Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and to ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women.

(With ANI Inputs)

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