Waqf Amendment Bill: BJP, INDIA bloc to lock horns as bill set to be tabled in Lok Sabha today

Lok Sabha is all set for a stormy session today, Wednesday, as the central government reintroduced the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will table the bill in the Lower House at noon for discussion and passage. The Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC), chaired by Speaker Om Birla and comprising leaders from all major parties, has allocated eight hours for the debate, with the possibility of an extension based on the House’s consensus.

The bill, which seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, was first introduced in Parliament last year but faced strong opposition and was subsequently sent to a Joint Committee of Parliament, led by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal, for review.

The committee submitted its report on February 13, and the Union Cabinet approved it on February 19. However, opposition MPs in the panel were upset because their suggested changes were rejected. They also claimed that their objections were removed from the report without their knowledge. The committee accepted 14 changes proposed by NDA MPs but rejected all 44 suggestions from the opposition.

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Opposition walkout over debate time

Ahead of the bill’s reintroduction, Rijiju reaffirmed that Lok Sabha's business advisory committee (BAC) had agreed to an eight-hour debate, but tensions escalated when Congress and other INDIA bloc members walked out of a meeting, accusing the government of suppressing their voices.

Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, claimed that opposition members wanted a longer debate and the inclusion of other pressing issues such as the Manipur situation and concerns over electors’ photo identity cards. Rijiju, however, countered that while some parties had proposed four to six hours of discussion, the opposition was pushing for 12 hours. He clarified that the debate duration could be extended if required.

NDA, INDIA bloc issue whips

With the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of consensus, both sides have issued whips to their MPs, directing them to be present in the House over the next three days. This move underscores the high stakes involved, as the final outcome of the Bill is likely to be determined by sheer numbers on the floor.

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INDIA bloc firms up opposition

The opposition’s INDIA bloc held a strategy meeting on Wednesday evening, where its members reaffirmed their collective stance against the Bill. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal stated that the alliance views the legislation as “targeted” and “fundamentally against constitutional provisions.” He added that the INDIA bloc will oppose the Bill in Parliament and urged other like-minded parties to do the same.

(With inputs from agencies)