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Saturday, Apr 05, 2025
Outside the box.
India's Lok Sabha Approves Waqf Amendment Bill Amid Controversy
The bill aims to amend governance of Muslim properties in India, amidst claims of transparency from the government and allegations of rights infringement from critics.
The Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament, has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes significant changes to the management of properties donated by Muslims throughout Indian history.
The legislation passed during a protracted debate of over 12 hours, with a vote of 288 members endorsing the bill against 232 opposing.
Its passage now leads to consideration in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house, and subsequently requires assent from President Droupadi Murmu before becoming law.
Introduced in August 2022, the bill was initially sent to a joint parliamentary committee following fierce criticism.
The version that passed includes several alterations, reflecting recommendations from the committee while disregarding suggestions from opposition members.
Critics, including opposition parties and Muslim organizations, contend that the bill poses a threat to the constitutional rights of minorities, claiming it weakens existing Waqf laws and could facilitate the seizure of these properties.
Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge labeled the legislation as unconstitutional and divisive while voicing unity among opposition factions to resist the bill's enactment in the Rajya Sabha.
Gaurav Gogoi, a Congress leader, further asserted that the bill risks diluting the Constitution and disenfranchising minority populations.
In defense, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the government seeks to dispel fears surrounding the bill, arguing that it was intended to enhance transparency in managing Waqf properties, which include mosques, schools, and land holdings.
Waqf properties, traditionally viewed as charitable endowments in Islamic law, are extensive in India, with over 872,351 such properties spread across more than 940,000 acres, valued at approximately ₹1.2 trillion (about $14.22 billion).
Proponents of the bill claim that its provisions are aimed at better management and oversight of these resources.
One notable aspect of the bill includes the introduction of two non-Muslim representatives on the Waqf boards that govern these properties.
This provision has encountered opposition, with critics arguing that it contradicts the principles of governance within religious institutions.
The successful passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha has prompted heightened tensions and discussions surrounding minority rights in India, as various stakeholders prepare for the upcoming debate in the Rajya Sabha.
The legislation passed during a protracted debate of over 12 hours, with a vote of 288 members endorsing the bill against 232 opposing.
Its passage now leads to consideration in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house, and subsequently requires assent from President Droupadi Murmu before becoming law.
Introduced in August 2022, the bill was initially sent to a joint parliamentary committee following fierce criticism.
The version that passed includes several alterations, reflecting recommendations from the committee while disregarding suggestions from opposition members.
Critics, including opposition parties and Muslim organizations, contend that the bill poses a threat to the constitutional rights of minorities, claiming it weakens existing Waqf laws and could facilitate the seizure of these properties.
Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge labeled the legislation as unconstitutional and divisive while voicing unity among opposition factions to resist the bill's enactment in the Rajya Sabha.
Gaurav Gogoi, a Congress leader, further asserted that the bill risks diluting the Constitution and disenfranchising minority populations.
In defense, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the government seeks to dispel fears surrounding the bill, arguing that it was intended to enhance transparency in managing Waqf properties, which include mosques, schools, and land holdings.
Waqf properties, traditionally viewed as charitable endowments in Islamic law, are extensive in India, with over 872,351 such properties spread across more than 940,000 acres, valued at approximately ₹1.2 trillion (about $14.22 billion).
Proponents of the bill claim that its provisions are aimed at better management and oversight of these resources.
One notable aspect of the bill includes the introduction of two non-Muslim representatives on the Waqf boards that govern these properties.
This provision has encountered opposition, with critics arguing that it contradicts the principles of governance within religious institutions.
The successful passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha has prompted heightened tensions and discussions surrounding minority rights in India, as various stakeholders prepare for the upcoming debate in the Rajya Sabha.
