Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, to be presented in LS

New Delhi

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that the bill will be tabled after the Question Hour for discussion and consideration. Following this, an eight-hour debate will be held, potentially extended based on the circumstances. Rijiju had previously provided a detailed briefing to BJP spokespersons, explaining the bill’s provisions and emphasizing its potential benefits for the Muslim community. He assured that the bill would not infringe upon the rights of religious institutions but would instead grant greater rights to those who lacked them previously. Additionally, the bill is designed to reform the management of Waqf properties by improving transparency and introducing digitalization.

However, the bill has faced strong criticism from the opposition, which has labeled it as "unconstitutional." AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi described the bill as a "grave violation" of key constitutional rights, while Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of interfering in every domain to gain control. The bill, which was first presented in August 2024, had been reviewed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee under Jagdambika Pal’s leadership. Its aim is to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, addressing challenges such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments in managing Waqf properties.