NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha is set to deliberate on the long-debated Waqf Amendment Bill on Wednesday, with the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) pushing for its passage and the opposition strongly condemning it as “unconstitutional.”
“This Bill is unconstitutional. This Bill is a grave violation of Article 14, Articles 25, 26 and 29. This is not Waqf Bill rather it’s a Waqf Barbaad Bill,” said Aimim‘s Asaduddin Owaisi.
However, the ruling coalition holds the advantage in both Houses of Parliament, making the Bill’s eventual passage likely possible despite the opposition’s strong resistance.
Minorities and parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC), chaired by Speaker Om Birla has agreed to an eight-hour debate.
The session could be extended based on the House’s consensus.
Opposition walks out in protest
Tensions flared as Congress and several opposition INDIA bloc members staged a walkout from the BAC meeting, accusing the government of suppressing their voices. Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi criticised the limited debate time and demanded discussions on additional issues, including the situation in Manipur and concerns over electors’ photo identity cards.
Number game in Parliament
Despite opposition resistance, the NDA is well-positioned to pass the Bill, holding 293 MPs in the 542-member House. Key allies include the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with 16 MPs, Janata Dal (United) with 12, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) with 5, and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena with 7 MPs.
In the Rajya Sabha, the NDA holds a total of 125 MPs representation, including BJP’s 98, JD(U)’s 4, Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)’s 3, and TDP’s 2. The Bill will be taken up by the Upper House following its passage in the Lok Sabha.
Congress questions JD(U) and TDP’s ‘secular’ credentials
The Congress has criticised JD(U) and TDP for supporting the Bill, calling it an “attack on the Constitution.” The grand old party’s Jairam Ramesh said, “Every opposition party opposes it, but what is the stand of so-called secular parties JD(U) and TDP?”
BJP allies shift stance, back Bill
Initially, some NDA allies, including JD(U), TDP, and LJP (Ram Vilas), had reservations about the Bill.
However, they later extended their support after a parliamentary joint committee incorporated their recommendations. JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha reiterated that his party opposed any retrospective implementation of the Bill but expressed hope that the government would address this concern.
“Nitish Kumar has been working in Bihar for the last 19 years. During this time, the work he has done for the Muslim community is also visible. Our party had said that it should not be implemented with retrospective effect, and we hope that the government will consider it… As long as Nitish Kumar is in politics, the interests of the people will be protected,” JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha said.
Ending days of speculation, Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP has officially backed the Bill, despite opposition criticism and protests from various Muslim organisations.
“The whole Muslim community is waiting for the Waqf Amendment Bill to be tabled. Our party will support it. Chandrababu Naidu has already mentioned that we will work in the interests of the Muslim community. Tomorrow, the Bill will be tabled, only then we will make any comments on it. I assure you that Chandrababu Naidu is in favour of Muslims,” TDP national spokesperson Prem Kumar Jain said.
Meanwhile, TDP & JD(U) have issued a whip to all its MPs, directing them for their presence in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Christian organisations support Bill
The Church of Bharat and the Catholic Bishops Conference of India have extended support to the Bill, strengthening the government’s defense against allegations of an anti-minority agenda.
Govt defends Bill as reform measure
The government maintains that the Bill seeks to improve transparency and efficiency in managing Waqf properties. Initially referred to a joint parliamentary committee, the Bill underwent revisions before receiving cabinet approval.
Oppn, Muslim groups strongly oppose Bill
Opposition parties and prominent Muslim organizations continue to oppose the Bill, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to the Muslim community. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi has labeled it an attack on religious freedoms and warned that BJP allies like TDP and JD(U) will face repercussions for their support.
