Congress MP Venugopal dubs Waqf Act Amendment Bill an attack on federal system, freedom of religion

New Delhi: Launching a blistering attack on the union government on the Waqf Act Amendment Bill, Congress MP KC Venugopal called the move an attack on the federal system of the country.
Venugopal, who represents Kerala's Alappuzha constituency, while addressing the lower house, said, "We as Hindus respect the faith of other religions but this bill is a fundamental attack on the Constitution. Through this Bill the Centre is trying to attack freedom of religion, he asserted, adding that the people of this country won't accept this 'divisive politics'."
"We are Hindus but at the same time, we respect the faith of other religions. This bill is specialized for the Maharashtra and Haryana elections. You do not understand that last time, the people of India clearly taught you a lesson. This is an attack on the federal system," Venugopal said.
"This bill is a fundamental attack on the Constitution. Through this bill, they are putting a provision that non-Muslims also be members of the Waqf governing council. It is a direct attack on freedom of religion...Next, you will go for Christians, then Jains...People of India will not buy this kind of divisive politics now," he added.
Meanwhile, launching an attack against the opposition parties over opposing the Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday that they (the opposition) want to misguide some people in the community and are trying to tarnish the image of India.
"We are not targeting anyone. They (Opposition) want to only create an atmosphere. Our minister will explain in detail when he introduces the bill. They want to misguide some people in the community. They are trying to tarnish the image of India. We are one of the best democracies in the world..." said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also lashed out at the BJP-led NDA government on the Waqf Act Amendment Bill, Thursday saying that in the disguise of amendments, the BJP is trying to sell the lands of Waqf Board and instead of 'Janata' in BJP, they should add 'Zameen' in it.
On X, Yadav wrote, "All these amendments of the 'Waqf Board' are just an excuse; Selling lands like defence, railway and Nazul land is the target."
Hitting out at the BJP, Yadav alleged that the amendments in the Waqf Bill were issued in the interest of the BJP and it's just another link in the chain of the schemes that benefit BJP.
The tweet added, "Waqf Board lands are just another link in the chain of 'schemes for the benefit of BJP' after Defence land, Railway land and Nazul land. Why doesn't BJP openly write: 'Issued in the interest of BJP'?
"SP chief further demanded for a "written guarantee" that Waqf Board's lands would not be sold."
A written guarantee should be given that the Waqf Board's lands will not be sold," the tweet added.
Attacking further, SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav said that the Bharatiya Janata Party should add 'Zameen' in their name instead of Janata, as they are working like a real estate company.
"BJP is working like a real estate company. It should change its name by adding 'Zameen' instead of 'Janta': Bhartiya Zameen Party #nhiiN_caahie_bhaajpaa."
Notably, the BJP-led government is slated to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday to amend the Waqf Act, 1995.
The bill seeks to "effectively address issues" related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is listed for introduction by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in Lok Sabha.
Apart from introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Kiren Rijiju will also introduce The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 which seeks to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995It seeks to clearly define "waqf" as waqf by any person practising Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women.
It also seeks to omit the provisions relating to the "waqf by user", provide the functions of the Survey Commissioner to the Collector or any other officer not below the rank of Deputy Collector duly nominated by the Collector for the survey of waqf properties, provide for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and ensure representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims.
According to the statement of objects and reasons, the bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis. It provides for the representation of Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani and other backward classes among Muslim communities, streamlining the manner of registration of waqfs through a central portal and database and providing for a detailed procedure for mutation as per revenue laws with due notice to all concerned before recording any property as waqf property.
The bill seeks to omit section 40 relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is waqf property, provide for filing of accounts of waqf by mutawallis to the Board through a central portal for better control over their activities, reform the Tribunal structure with two members and provide for appeals against the orders of the Tribunal to the High Court within a specified period of ninety days.