Centre fully prepared for Waqf Bill debate

New Delhi

Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated on Monday that the government is fully prepared to present the amended Waqf bill in Parliament. He accused some political parties and organisations of misleading the public and inciting unrest over its provisions.

With Parliament resuming on Tuesday after a break for the weekend and Eid, Rijiju mentioned that discussions with party leaders will determine the bill's introduction, likely in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The ongoing Budget session ends on April 4, and both Houses must pass the bill for it to become law.

Opposition parties strongly oppose the bill, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to the Muslim community. Several Muslim organisations have mobilised against it. Rijiju dismissed allegations that the bill allows the government to seize Muslim properties as "propaganda," stating that Waqf regulations have existed since British rule.

He compared opposition to this bill with protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, emphasizing that no Muslim lost citizenship under that law. Rijiju urged critics to study the bill before protesting. He also claimed that several opposition MPs privately support the bill, and noted backing from the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council.

Reaffirming that minorities in India enjoy the "best rights of freedom," he accused opponents of spreading falsehoods for personal gain.

Karnataka Ministers protest Waqf Bill with black bands

Bengaluru

Karnataka Ministers B.Z. Zameer Ahmad Khan and K. Rahman Khan, along with supporters, wore black bands during Ramzan prayers on Monday to protest the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.

Zameer Ahmad Khan offered Namaz at Chamarajpet Grounds, while Rahman Khan prayed in Bidar. They emphasized unity among communities and opposition to the bill. Religious leaders urged peaceful protests, stating the Waqf Act has existed since British rule. Prominent Islamic scholar Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi highlighted the importance of communal harmony and the right to peaceful protest.