Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made it clear that the Waqf Amendment Bill will be reintroduced in the current session of Parliament. This bill was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in August 2024. With only four working days left before the current Budget session ends on April 4, Shah confirmed that the bill will be presented in Parliament within this session.
He stated that there is no need for anyone to fear the proposed law because the Narendra Modi government is amending the Waqf Act within the constitutional framework. Shah accused the opposition of misleading Muslims, asserting that there will be no curtailment of their rights. He claimed that the opposition is spreading lies.
Shah explained that the government had to bring this amendment because the original law was created under the influence of appeasement politics. He alleged that Congress introduced provisions in the Waqf Act that were not in line with the spirit of the Constitution. According to him, the government is making changes to the Waqf Act in a way that aligns with the Constitution, unlike Congress, which used the law for its political benefit.
Regarding the protests against the bill, Shah remarked that everyone has the right to protest. He stated that if the bill is unconstitutional, it can be challenged in court. He also mentioned that the Cabinet recently approved the Waqf Amendment Bill, including changes recommended by the JPC, making it ready for discussion and passage in Parliament.
The bill has become controversial due to decisions like the Waqf Board declaring 123 significant locations in Delhi as Waqf property, and the historical Chandrashekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj being declared as Waqf property.
