Waqf amendment bill: The government is preparing to bring the Waqf Amendment Bill in the second phase of the budget session of Parliament. This bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha on 2 April. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 8 August 2024 by Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Welfare Minister Kiren Rijiju, but due to the uproar of the opposition, it was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
JPC was chaired by Jagdambika Pal. After the report of the committee, the revised bill has already been approved by the cabinet. Now if the government brings it to Parliament, it will not be easy to pass it, because it has already gone through the review of JPC.
What is the number game in Parliament?
The Lok Sabha currently has a total of 542 members. It has 240 MPs in it, from which it is the largest party. The BJP -led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is in majority with a total of 293 MPs. This number is more than the required figure of 272, which is necessary to pass any bill.
Talking about the opposition, Congress has 99 MPs. The total number of all the parties involved in the India block reaches only 233, which is less than the majority. Apart from this, there are some parties like Azad Samaj Party Advocate Chandrashekhar and Shiromani Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal, which are neither in NDA nor in India Block. There are also some independent MPs who are not openly with any alliance.
At the same time, there are a total of 236 members in the Rajya Sabha at this time. BJP has 98 MPs in this. If we talk about alliances, the NDA has about 115 MPs. Apart from this, there are 6 nominated members, who usually vote in favor of the government. By adding these, the number of NDA reaches 121, which is two more than the 119 figure required to pass any bill.
Talking about the opposition, Congress has 27 MPs and other parties of India block have 58 members. That is, the opposition has a total of 85 MPs. Apart from this, 9 members of YSR Congress, 7 of BJD and 4 members of AIADMK are in Rajya Sabha. There are 3 members, including some small parties and independents, who are neither in the ruling NDA nor in the opposition India block.
Why the government is facing protest
The government says that the Waqf Amendment Bill will give the right to resolve disputes related to Waqf properties. This will enable better use of Waqf properties and women of Muslim society will also benefit. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) headed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal presented its report in Parliament, including 14 amendments given by the constituents of NDA. However, JPC rejected the 44 amendments proposed by the opposition. For this reason, the opposition is opposing this bill and considering it as disputed.
Main objections on Waqf Bill
- Right to appeal in the High Court – Now an appeal can be made in the High Court in any dispute related to Waqf property, whereas earlier the decision of the Waqf Tribunal was considered to be final.
- No claim on property without donating – Now Waqf cannot claim any property without donating. Earlier, if the Waqf Board claimed a property, it was considered the property of Waqf.
- Members of women and other religions – Now a woman and a member of another religion in the Waqf Board will be mandatory. Previously, the board did not have members of women or any other religion.
- The Collector rights – Now the Collector will be able to survey the Waqf property and it will be the right to decide whether any property is of Waqf or not.