Rajya’s opposition leader in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said on Thursday (April 3, 2025) that the government is trying to sow the seeds of conflict by Muslim suppression through the WAQF Act and appeal to the ruling side not to disturb peace and harmony in the country.
Participation in the discussion of the bill in the upper chamber Mr. Kharge, also the President of Congress, said that legislation is “unconstitutional” and is not good for Indian Muslims. He called on the government to withdraw a bill that has many “mistakes” and did not make it a prestigious problem.
WAQF (amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha Live
He also accused the government of the NDA of trying to create problems for the Muslim community, and the bill strives to destroy them by usurping their properties.
Mr. Kharge claimed that the distribution of the government wanted to take away the country of Muslims and hand it over to his corporate friends.
He accused the government of not taking advantage of the minorities, even when they talk about the poor Muslims and Pasmand Muslims.
Mr. Kharge also claimed that since the NDA government led BJP came to power, 3,574 Crore from a total of 18,274 GBPs allocated to minorities was returned because the amount remained unused.
He urged the Interior Minister Amit Shah to issue a bill.
“I recall the Minister of the Interior to kindly withdraw the bill. Do not make it a problem of prestige. If there are errors and mistakes, why not repair them?” said.
“We have peace and harmony in this country.
Mr. Kharge said that the Waqf law aims to “bother” the minority. If it were changed from the 1995 crime, we would accept it. There is nothing in the bill and people are opposed to it, he added.
He said that BJP accepted an act of 1995 and there was no need to bring changes with provisions aimed at “affecting people with problems”.
The head of the congress, which was against certain provisions of the bill, stated that the Commissioner of the Survey and other Commissioner who conducted a preliminary survey of the assets was replaced by a collector.
KHARGE ON WAQF BILL
The bill proposes to replace the “elected member” for “nominated members” on the WAQF Board. “This means you want to take control in your hands. Their intention is not good,” he said.
“They want to collect all real estate and create land banks and give them to businesses or entrepreneurs. What they want to do is still not known.
“You sell public sector real estate. If you get something for free, you want to give it for a buffet, as if anyone who comes first can eat,” he added.
He also protested against the provisions that government properties identified as WAQF would no longer be considered as WAQF assets.
“The District Collector now determines ownership in case of uncertainty and update of income records. How can the collector do this?” he asked.
He also stated that deputies, former judges and important persons appointed to the Central Waqf Council would be Muslims. Now the bill has removed this and proposes that “two members should be non -Muslims.
He said that even the Dalits are not included in these temple trusts.
Mr. Kharge accused the government of attempting to eliminate Muslims from the WAQF Council and included Muslims through this law. “You just hit these territories to annoy Muslims,” he added.
The integration of women on the Waqf advice was there before and nothing new was happening, he said.
“If you want to suppress Muslims, you can’t do it. Don’t secure the seed of the conflict,” he said.
The leader of Keral Congress (M), who previously participated in the debate, was the leader of Keral Congress Jose to Mani largely against the bill, but recognized a positive provision allowing the decision of the WAQF council in court, but demanded the government to retrospective.
He quoted the case of Munambam in Kerala and said that around 610 families belonging to different religions are now facing the threat of losing their countries because of the demands of WAQF. These communities lived peacefully with legally registered land and the government paid legitimate taxes.
PP Suneer (CPI) opposed the bill and said, “It is an attack on secularism and equality.” “By removing key legal protection and centralization control, the law pauses the path for the state to interfere with religious foundations and violates many fundamental rights,” he said.
VAIKO (MDMK) opposed the bill and stated that it was “unpleasant, anti-federal, anti-democratic and antisecular law. It should be withdrawn.” The bill has proposed fundamental changes in the administration and regulation of the WAQF Council. “We are strongly opposed to the bill on the antine -bodies. It is a dividing and the Antimuslim agenda was obvious. What was so obvious was the supply of WAQF administration from the state to the central government. Unfortunately, this aspect unnoticed,” he said.
KR SURESH REDDY (BRS) was against the bill and stated that 75% of the content of the bill could be carried out through the administrative process and no bill is required.
“The content of the bill is good, but the intention is doubtful. This is what everyone is discussing. A good facade is created. Polarization is trying behind this facade,” he said.
Sushmit Dev (TMC) said, “Bill is guessing distrust.” The WAQF Council Manager may be removed from its position due to a member of the organization forbidden within the UAPA, stated and added that the bill was unconstitutional.
Imran Pratapgarhi (Congress) said: “This law is not a beam of hope. Most citizens are doubtful that the effort is to take away property and give it to the rich.”
Published – April 3 2025 23:45 is
