Muslim Organizations and Upposition Opposing Waqf Amendment Bill Know Why Nda will have to face problems to pass this bill

Wakf amendment bill: The dispute between the government and the opposition is getting intensified over the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. Muslim organizations and opposition parties allege that this bill is a conspiracy to give the government control over Waqf properties. On the other hand, the government says that this will bring better use and transparency of Waqf properties.

However, in the second phase of the budget session of Parliament, the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 can be introduced. The bill was first brought to the Lok Sabha on 8 August 2024, but due to opposition from the opposition, it was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Now the government is preparing to pass it, but Muslim organizations and opposition parties are against it.

Government vs opposition on bill
Actually, the government’s side is that this bill is necessary to regulate Waqf properties and resolve disputes. This will enable better use of Waqf properties. Women members will also get a place in the Waqf Board. In order to prevent corruption and better management of assets, 14 amendments have been made.

Opposition and Muslim organizations accused
The government wants to capture Waqf properties. Such changes are being made in the current Waqf Act of 1995, which will give the government the right to interfere in the management of Waqf properties. It is against the religious and constitutional rights of Muslims.

Large objections of opposition and Muslim organizations
1. Waqf properties disputes can now be challenged in the High Court.
2. Earlier the decision of the Waqf Tribunal was final.
3. No property will be considered as Waqf property without donation.
4. Earlier, on the basis of only claim, any property could be considered as Waqf property.
5. It will be mandatory to be two members of women and other religions in the Waqf Board.
6. Earlier there were only Muslim men in the board.
7. The Collector will get the right to survey and manage Waqf properties.
8. Earlier the survey of Waqf properties was done with the Waqf Board.

New provisions in bill
According to the new provision, the collector will have the right to investigate whether any government property has been wrongly declared Waqf property, registration of all Waqf properties on the portal will be necessary within 6 months. Notification of Waqf properties will have to be uploaded on the portal within 15 days (JPC has recommended it to be 90 days).

What is Waqf and its management?
Explain that Waqf is an Islamic tradition, in which property is donated for religious objectives. Waqf properties cannot be sold or inherited, they are always in the name of Allah. There are 8,72,351 Waqf properties in India, which are spread over 9 lakh acres of land. The estimated price is more than Rs 1 lakh crore. Waqf properties are managed by the Waqf Board under the Waqf Act of 1995. The government says that there is more corruption in Waqf boards, so the Waqf Amendment Bill is being brought to 2024 to improve it.

Will NDA be sweaty to pass the bill?
The government may have difficulty in the Rajya Sabha due to opposition from opposition parties and Muslim organizations. There are big protests at Jantar Mantar, due to which political pressure is increasing.
The government will have to keep its allies together, because some NDA colleagues may also be uncomfortable on this issue.

Government’s strong position in Lok Sabha
Passing the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament is not a big challenge for the government. This bill has already passed from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), and the government has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha.

Numberbal in Lok Sabha:
Lok Sabha Total seats: 542
NDA MP: 293 (240 members of BJP)
India Block MP including Congress: 233
MPs of other independents and small parties: 16 members
Even if there is voting on the bill, the government will easily pass it, because the NDA has a clear majority.

Government status in Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha Total Member: 236
BJP MP: 98
Total MP of NDA: 115
6 nominated members (who usually vote in favor of the government), while the NDA figure with possible support is 120+ which is sufficient for the majority.

Opposition coalition status in Rajya Sabha:
Members of Congress: 27
Total MP of India Block (including Congress): 85
YSR Congress: 9
BJD: 7
AIADMK: 4
Independents and Small parties: 3

Will the support of JDU and TDP remain?
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has appealed to JDU (Nitish Kumar) and TDP (Chandrababu Naidu) to oppose the bill. If these two parties go against the NDA, then the difficulties may increase for the government. However, JDU and TDP have already indicated to support the government, so the possibility of their opposition is very low. Now it has to be seen how the government handles the opposition and Muslim organizations and will this bill be passed without any major political crisis?