Waqf Amendment Bill Passed in Lok Sabha after heated debate; gets 288 votes in favour, 232 against

Bill sparks political and religious tensions; govt says it is about property regulation, but Opposition sees it as an attack on minority rights

PTC Web Desk: The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill in the early hours of Thursday after an intense 12-hour debate between the government and the Opposition. The Bill was approved by 288-232 votes around 2 am, with the government's numerical strength ensuring its passage. The Bill will now be tabled in Rajya Sabha for further discussion.

Key amendments in the Bill

The Bill proposes significant changes to the 1995 Waqf Act, including:

Non-Muslim Representation: The inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards.

Property Donation Rules: Only those who have practiced Islam for at least five years can donate property to Waqf.

Government Land Ownership: If a government property is identified as Waqf, it will cease to belong to the government, and the local Collector will decide ownership.

Women’s Rights: Women must receive their inheritance before a property is declared as Waqf, with special provisions for widows, divorced women, and orphans.

Waqf Property Disputes: A senior government official, instead of Waqf tribunals, will have the final say in determining whether a property belongs to Waqf or the government.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Bill, stating that large tracts of land had been given to Waqf under the previous laws, including properties belonging to temples, other religious bodies, and the government. He cited examples of how Waqf acquired land, including Chandra Shekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj and 400-year-old temple land in Tamil Nadu.

Shah said property donations must come from rightful owners and criticised the 2013 amendment, which allegedly led to 123 properties in Delhi’s Lutyens zone being transferred to Waqf before elections. He dismissed concerns about non-Muslims in Waqf boards, clarifying that they would not manage religious properties.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also supported the Bill, mentioning a legal dispute from 1970 involving multiple properties, including the old Parliament building. He warned that without amendments, even government buildings could be claimed by Waqf.

Opposition’s criticism

The Opposition called the Bill unconstitutional, accusing the government of trying to "disenfranchise minorities". Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi argued that the Bill aimed to defame minorities and divide society.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi dramatically tore up the Bill, comparing it to Mahatma Gandhi’s protest against British laws in South Africa.

Shiromani Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal accused the BJP of dividing minorities and questioned why a Muslim representative was not included in the Ayodhya temple committee.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has vowed to challenge the Bill in court and organide nationwide protests. Spokesperson Mohammad Mohsin stated that peaceful demonstrations, similar to the farmers' protests, would be launched, including road blockades.

News is originally taken from: https://bit.ly/4iQrYu9

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