Waqf Bill Set for Tabling: India Govt to Unveil Schedule, Reforms for Country’s Islamic Charitable Ecosystem

As Parliament prepares to adjourn on April 4, the Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Kiren Rijiju, has signaled that the government is ready to table the amended Waqf Bill. However, the Minister has also lashed out at political parties and organizations that he accuses of seeking to foment unrest and mislead people over the bill’s provisions.

Rijiju’s statements come as the Waqf Bill is set to be discussed in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) on Tuesday, with a decision expected on the schedule for the bill, including its introduction and time allocation for debate. The Minister has emphasized that the bill must be passed as soon as possible, but has also acknowledged that the proposal’s fate lies in the hands of the Opposition parties and various Muslim organizations, who have strongly criticized the bill as unconstitutional and against the interests of the Muslim community.

Rijiju has accused these parties and organizations of resorting to lies and propaganda to mislead society and trigger tensions over the bill. He has also urged Muslims to wear black armbands during Ramzan and Eid prayers to express their opposition to the proposed law, warning that inciting them to hit the streets is not good for the country. The Minister has also pointed out that the law regulating Waqf has been in existence since before Independence, and that the proposed amendments aim to simplify and streamline the process.

The Minister has also drawn attention to the support from various quarters, including the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, for the Waqf Bill. However, the Opposition has been vocal in its opposition to the bill, with many criticising it as an attempt to grab Muslim properties like mosques and graveyards. In response, Rijiju has assured that the bill will not snatch Muslim properties, and that the government will reply to every single point raised by the Opposition.

As the deadline for the bill’s introduction looms, the Minister’s assertions have sparked a heated debate, with many on both sides of the divide gearing up for a intense discussion. The Opposition, however, remains skeptical, with many questioning the government’s motives behind the proposed changes to the law. As the Waqf Bill is set to take center stage in the coming days, one thing is clear – the fate of the bill hangs in the balance, with the government’s resolve to table it, and the Opposition’s vehement opposition, set to make for a thrilling spectacle in the days to come.

Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rijiju-govt-ready-to-table-waqf-bill-schedule-likely-to-be-shared-today-9916948/
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Publish Date: 2025-04-01 03:38:00