New Delhi: el Lok Sabha It is scheduled to deliberate in the WAQF WAQF amendment bill on Wednesday, with the ruler Democratic National Alliance (NDA) led by BJP by pressing its approval and the opposition that condemns it strongly as “unconstitutional.”
“This bill is unconstitutional. This bill is a serious violation of article 14, articles 25, 26 and 29. This is not a WAQF bill, but is a WAQF Barbaad bill,” said Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM.
However, the ruling coalition has the advantage in both Chambers of Parliament, which makes the eventual passage of the bill probably possible despite the strong resistance of the opposition.
Minorities and Parliamentary matters Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee (BAC), chaired by President Om Birla, agreed an eight -hour debate.
The session could be extended depending on the camera consensus.
The opposition comes out in protest
The tensions broke out when the Congress and several members of the opposition Indian block organized a strike of the BAC meeting, accusing the government of suppressing their voices. The attached leader of the Congress, Gaurav Gogoi, criticized the limited time of debate and demanded discussions on additional issues, including the situation in Manipur and concerns about the photographic identity cards of the voters.
Numbers game in Parliament
Despite the resistance to the opposition, the NDA is well positioned to approve the bill, with 293 parliamentarians in the house of 542 members. The key allies include the Telugu Desam (TDP) party with 16 parliamentarians, Janata Dal (United) with 12, the Lok Janshakti (RAM Vilas) party with 5, and the SENA SENA led by Eknath Shinde with 7 parliamentarians.
In Rajya Sabha, the NDA has a total of 125 MPs of representation, including the 98 of BJP, JD (U) ‘S 4, the Nationalist Party of the Ajit Pawar Congress (NCP) and the 2 TDP.
Congress Questions (U) and TDP ‘secular’ credentials
The Congress has criticized JD (U) and TDP for supporting the bill, qualifying it as “attack on the Constitution.” Jairam Ramesh, from the great party, said: “Each opposition party opposes him, but what is the position of the so -called JD (U) and TDP secular parties?”
BJP allies changes the position, Back Bill
Initially, some NDA allies, including JD (U), TDP and LJP (RAM Vilas), had reservations on the bill.
However, they then extended their support after a parliamentary joint committee incorporated its recommendations. JD (U) MP Sanjay JHA reiterated that his party opposed any retrospective implementation of the bill, but expressed the hope that the government would address this concern.
“Niten Kumar has been working in Bihar during the last 19 years. During this time, the work he has done for the Muslim community is also visible. Our party had said that it should not be implemented with retrospective effect, and we hope that the government considers it … While Niten Kumar is in policies, the interests of the people will be protected”, JD (U) MP Sanjay Jha.
Final days of speculation, the TDP of Chandrababu Naidu has officially supported the bill, despite the criticisms of the opposition and the protests of several Muslim organizations.
“The entire Muslim community is waiting for the bill of the WAQF amendment to be presented. Our party will support it. Chandrababu Naidu has already mentioned that we will work in the interest of the Muslim community. Tomorrow, the bill will be presented, only then we will make any comment on him. I assure you that I will assure you that Naidu Naidu is in favor of Muslims,”, TDP National Spokes.
Meanwhile, TDP and JD (U) have issued a whip to all their parliamentarians, directing them for their presence in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Christian organizations support the bill
The Church of Bharat and the Catholic Conference of the Bishops of India have extended support to the bill, strengthening the defense of the Government against the accusations of an antiminory agenda.
The Government defends Bill as a reform measure
The Government argues that the bill seeks to improve transparency and efficiency in WAQF properties management. Initially he referred to a joint parliamentary committee, the bill was submitted to reviews before receiving the approval of the cabinet.
OPPN, Muslim groups oppose Bill
The opposition parties and the outstanding Muslim organizations continue to oppose the bill, calling it unconstitutional and detrimental to the Muslim community. AIMIM leader, Asaduddin Owaisi, has described it as an attack on religious freedoms and warned that BJP’s allies such as TDP and JD (U) will face repercussions for their support.