Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024: A Crucial debate in Parliament | Fusion - WeRIndia

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set to be presented in Parliament today, with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress issuing whips to ensure their MPs’ presence.

The bill, expected to be tabled after the Question Hour, will then be subject to a thorough eight-hour discussion, potentially extending beyond that time.

Given the lack of bipartisan consensus, the final outcome will largely depend on the majority numbers in the House.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill aims to address long-standing issues in the regulation and management of Waqf properties in India.

It seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, by updating definitions, improving registration processes, and incorporating technology to better manage Waqf records.

The bill is designed to enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards and resolve problems like mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments that have plagued the previous act. Additionally, it proposes renaming the Act to reflect these improvements.

However, the opposition parties, particularly the INDIA bloc, have raised concerns about the bill. The Samajwadi Party (SP), in a bid to unite its MPs, issued a three-line whip to ensure participation in the parliamentary debate on the bill.

The opposition argues that while reform is needed, the bill lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent misuse and safeguard minority interests.

Moreover, some critics contend that the bill could centralize control over Waqf properties, undermining local governance and potentially leading to more administrative hurdles for minority communities.

In contrast, the BJP and its allies defend the bill, arguing that it is a necessary step to address the shortcomings of the 1995 Act.

They emphasize that the bill will introduce much-needed reforms to ensure transparency and better management of Waqf properties.

The ruling party also asserts that the amendments will modernize the system by incorporating technology and improving the registration and oversight processes, ultimately benefiting the management of religious and charitable assets.

As the debate unfolds in Parliament, the fate of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill rests on the dynamic interplay between these differing viewpoints and the political calculations on the floor.

Image Credit: Narendra Modi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Source: YouTube at 0:28 min

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inside_Indian_Parliament.jpg