Congress-led Opposition parties united in Lok Sabha on Thursday to protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill, which seeks to address various issues related to the powers of State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of Waqf properties, and the removal of encroachments.
The proposed legislation aims to amend 44 sections of the 1995 Waqf Act, introducing several significant changes. Among the key amendments are the inclusion of two women on the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards, the stipulation that funds received by the Waqf Board be used for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans as directed by the government, and the protection of women’s inheritances. Another contentious proposal is the inclusion of non-Muslim members on Waqf bodies.
During the Bill’s discussion, Congress’s KC Venugopal described the proposed law as “draconian,” arguing that it is an attack on religious freedom and the federal system. He particularly opposed the provision allowing non-Muslim members on Waqf boards.
The Samajwadi Party, the second-largest opposition force, also opposed the Bill. Party MP Mohibbullah stated, “This is injustice to Muslims. We are going to commit a huge mistake, we will suffer because of this Bill for centuries. This is interference with religion.”
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Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of using the amendments as a pretext to sell off lands belonging to Waqf boards. “All these amendments of the ‘Waqf Board’ are just an excuse; Selling lands like defense, railway, and Nazul land is the target,” he said in a post on X. Trinamool’s Sudip Bandhyopadhyay argued that the legislation undermines federalism, while DMK’s K Kanimozhi claimed it is against the minority community, questioning the feasibility of non-Hindus managing Hindu temples.
Defending the Bill, Union Minister and BJP ally JDU leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh stated that the legislation aims to enhance the transparency of Waqf boards. Responding to opposition claims that the Bill targets minorities, he referenced the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, asking, “Who killed thousands of Sikhs?”
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NCP’s Supriya Sule criticized the government for not conducting detailed consultations before introducing the Bill. “Please send this to the standing committee for better consultation. The timing is of concern. What happened suddenly in Waqf board that you have to bring the Bill,” she questioned.
ET Mohammed Basheer of the Indian Union Muslim League and K Radhakrishan of the CPM also opposed the Bill.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi called the legislation discriminatory and a severe attack on the Constitution’s basic structure, arguing that it violates judicial independence. “The Government has sought to severely restrict how Muslims can manage their Waqf property,” he said.
