Waqf Amendment Bill : Live Updates From Lok Sabha

Kalyan Banerjee (AITC) says the Bill is a clear violation of the right of Muslims to perform and manage their religious affairs and therefore, violates Article 26 and the basic structure of the Constitution.

Banerjee says Bill is an attempt to legalize illegal encroachment of waqf land by government bodies. Bill is against the principles laid down by the Supreme Court on Waqf.

"This Bill is a clear attempt to curtail the rights of Muslims. Please let us not play with fire on religion. Let us forge ahead together as humans."

Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav: No importance has been given to the views of those who will be most affected by this bill. That is injustice.When most political parties in the country are against the Bill, why is the government pushing it forward?

Yadav says the Bill is an attempt to polarise the society.

Prasad says when triple talaq case was going on in Supreme Court, All India Muslim Personal Board told the Gov they will bring a new format for nikahnama which will ban triple talaq but when the Gov brought the law, the opposed it for days

Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) : This Bill ensures even backward Muslims will be able to be a part of waqf management. What is wrong with this?

 If waqf land is being encroached upon there are provisions in the constitution to protect. Waqf Board is just a statutory body, not a religious body. 

Gogoi refers under S.64, clause 29 of Bill, which talks about a person who is a member of any associated declared as unlawful under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and says in which other religious legislation do we have inclusion of UAPA law?

Gogoi says the Gov claims there is no role of High Court and tribunal's order is final but the parent Act says that the High Court can take suo moto case. He adds the Gov is trying to create a fear among the community.

Gogoi says today, they are trying to encroach upon the properties of Muslims, tomorrow they will come for other religions.

Gogoi says the 1995 Act already has a provision for inclusion of two women in the waqf board. He adds, the 1995 law infact stated that more than 2 women can be appointed but now, the 2024 Bill has limited the inclusion to only 2 women.

Gogoi questions why the Gov has removed the waqf user. Refers to the Ayodhya judgment which supports him position and adds that the Gov is also trying to dilute the judgments as well.

Gogoi refers to Section 3(ra)- any person showing or demonstrating he is practising Islam-

Gogoi says the condition means that people will have to show documents that they are following Islam.  

Will the govt ask other religions to furnish certificates of the religions they are professing, he asks