Waqf Bill Tabled in Lok Sabha; INDIA Bloc Strategizes as BJP Issues Whip
- MGMMTeam
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
The Lok Sabha is set to discuss and pass the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday, potentially sparking a showdown between the Narendra Modi-led government and the Opposition’s INDIA bloc. Earlier today, Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed reporters that the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC), chaired by Speaker Om Birla and comprising leaders from all major parties, had agreed on an eight-hour debate.
During the meeting, Congress and several other INDIA bloc members staged a walkout, accusing the government of suppressing their voices.
Congress' Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, claimed that the opposition was being ignored. He stated that they had sought more time for discussion and urged the House to address additional issues, including the situation in Manipur and concerns over electors’ photo identity cards, as reported by PTI.
In response, Rijiju noted that while several parties had suggested a debate lasting between four to six hours, the opposition had pushed for 12 hours. He added that although eight hours had been allotted, the debate duration could be extended if the House deemed it necessary on the day.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill
A contentious bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August, proposing 40 amendments to the Waqf Act. Among its key changes, the bill aims to ensure representation for Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards while introducing significant reforms in the regulation and governance of India’s waqf boards, which oversee Islamic charitable endowments, according to the Hindustan Times.
The government defended the bill, stating that it seeks to modernize an outdated and complex system in accordance with the 2006 Rajinder Sachar Committee's recommendations. However, the Opposition called for closer scrutiny, arguing that the proposed changes could negatively impact Muslim communities.
A joint parliamentary committee reviewed the Waqf bill and adopted it with several amendments. During the Budget session, the JPC presented its report in Parliament, recommending that the bill be renamed the "Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act."
Congress, BJP issue whip
Before the government presents the Waqf Bill amendments in Parliament, both the ruling BJP and the Congress have instructed all their MPs to be present in the House by issuing whips.
The Congress issued a three-line whip after the government confirmed that the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill would be brought up for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha.
"Very important issues will be taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, i.e. April 2, 3 and 4, 2025. All members of Congress party in Lok Sabha are requested to kindly remain present in the House from 11 AM onwards till the adjournment of the House on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday i.e. April 2,3 and 4, 2025, without fail and support the party stand," according to PTI, the whip was issued by K. Suresh, the chief whip of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, the BJP directed all its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in Parliament on April 2 through a whip. A similar directive was issued for its Rajya Sabha MPs, requiring their attendance on April 3, as reported by ANI.
INDIA Bloc Convenes for Key Meeting
The opposition's INDIA bloc demonstrated unity on Wednesday evening as its member parties convened at the Parliament House to strategize against the Waqf bill, according to PTI.
Following the meeting, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal stated that the INDIA bloc would stand against the bill in Parliament.
"In the introduction stage itself, the INDIA alliance and all like-minded parties had a clear-cut stand on it. This bill is a targeted legislation and is fundamentally against the Constitutional provisions," he told ANI. "We are going to oppose this bill... This is what has been decided unanimously by the INDIA alliance parties. We request other like-minded parties also to vote against this bill..."
NCP (SCP) MP Supriya Sule stated that the Opposition will participate in the discussion and present the truth.
"We will take part in discussions. Just like we will listen to them, we will put forth our truth. We will stand with those who work according to the Constitution. The INDIA alliance had a good discussion. We will debate together," Sule told ANI.
JD(U) Extends Support to Central Government
The Janata Dal (United) has confirmed its support for the NDA government on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
According to JD(U) leaders aware of the matter, the party's key concerns regarding the bill have largely been addressed.
"A delegation of the Muslim community had met Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and expressed their concerns regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill after the matter was referred to the JPC. Nitish Kumar asked party representatives to raise these concerns in the JPC, and party representative Dileshwar Kamait raised these concerns in the JPC. Surely, these suggestions must have been taken into consideration as well," JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan stated.
Delhi Police Strengthen Security in High-Risk Areas
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have heightened security measures across several sensitive areas in the city to maintain law and order, PTI reported.
"To maintain law and order at multiple sensitive areas, we have intensified night patrolling, and additional deployment will be arranged," a senior police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, was reported as saying.
The officer stated that all deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) have already been instructed to maintain strict vigilance.
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