In the second phase of the current budget session of Parliament, the government is preparing to bring the Waqf Amendment Bill. 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, which was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) after the opposition’s uproar. After the report of JPC led by Jagdambika Pal, the revised bill related to it has already been approved by the cabinet. If the government brings this bill to Parliament, then it is no less challenging to pass it. This bill is already coming through JPC.
What is number game in Parliament
The current strength of the Lok Sabha is 542 and BJP is the largest party with 240 members. The number of members of the BJP -led ruling National Democratic Alliance is 293, which is more than the magical number of 272 required to pass the bill. Talking about the opposition, the Congress has 99 members and even if all the parties involved in the India block, the number reaches 233. Advocate Chandrashekhar of Azad Samaj Party, Harsimrat Kaur Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal are also MPs whose parties are not in NDA or India Block, any alliance. There are also some independent MPs who are not openly with any alliance.
Talking about the upper house Rajya Sabha, the strength of the House is currently 236 members. The number of BJP in this is 98. In terms of alliances, the number of NDA members is close to 115. Also add six nominated members who usually vote in favor of the government, then the NDA is reaching 121 in Numberge, which is more than 119 more than 119 to pass the bill. 27 members of Congress and 58 members of other constituents of India block are in Rajya Sabha. Overall, the opposition has 85 MPs. Nine of YSR Congress, seven of BJD and four AIADMK members are in Rajya Sabha. There are three members including small parties and independents who are neither in the ruling coalition nor in the opposition alliance.
Why government vs opposition on bill
The ruling party says that through the Waqf Amendment Bill, the right to settle disputes related to its properties will get the right to settle. Waqf’s property will be better use and this will also help women of Muslim society. JPC, led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, presented its report in Parliament with 14 amendments submitted by the constituents of NDA. The JPC rejected the 44 amendments proposed by the opposition.
What are the major objections on the Waqf Bill
1. You can now go to the High Court against the verdict on any property dispute of Waqf. However, the decision of the first Waqf Tribunal was considered to be the last.
2. Now without donating, Waqf cannot assert its authority over any property, but earlier with the claim any property was the right to Waqf.
3. Waqf Board should have two members from women and other religions. But earlier there were no members of women and other religions in the board.
4. Collector will be able to survey the property of Waqf and has been given the right to determine the property.