Title: Opposition creates confusion & leaves House: Rijiju in Rajya Sabha
In a recent development in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized senior members of the opposition for creating confusion during discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. According to Rijiju, these senior members raise issues in the House but do not stay back to listen to the replies, thereby creating an atmosphere of chaos and disorder.
The minister made these remarks during the ongoing debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The bill seeks to make various amendments to the existing law, including the establishment of a National Waqf Development Corporation to develop and manage Waqf properties.
Rijiju’s criticism was primarily directed at MP Kapil Sibal, who had earlier compared the properties of Waqf bodies with those of other religious bodies. This comparison, according to Rijiju, was an attempt to create confusion and mislead the House.
Sibal had raised concerns over the bill, stating that it would lead to the commercialization of Waqf properties and undermine the autonomy of Waqf bodies. He had also compared the properties of Waqf bodies with those of other religious bodies, suggesting that the bill would lead to unequal treatment of different religious groups.
Rijiju, however, refuted Sibal’s claims, stating that the bill was aimed at ensuring the proper management and development of Waqf properties, which are an integral part of India’s cultural heritage. He also emphasized that the bill would not compromise the autonomy of Waqf bodies, as it would provide them with greater powers and resources to manage their properties effectively.
The minister’s criticism of Sibal’s remarks was not limited to the comparison he made between Waqf properties and those of other religious bodies. Rijiju also took exception to Sibal’s decision to leave the House without waiting for the minister’s response to his concerns.
According to Rijiju, Sibal’s actions were a classic example of opposition members creating confusion and then leaving the House without waiting for the minister’s response. This, the minister said, was a common practice among opposition members, who often raised issues in the House without bothering to listen to the replies or engage in constructive debate.
Rijiju’s criticism of Sibal’s actions was supported by other BJP members, who also expressed frustration over the opposition’s tactics in the House. Several BJP members pointed out that the opposition was more interested in scoring political points than in engaging in meaningful debate and discussion.
The debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is likely to continue, with the opposition expected to raise more concerns and objections to the bill. However, the minister’s criticism of Sibal’s actions has set the tone for a robust and intense debate on the issue.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has once again highlighted the need for constructive and respectful debate in the Rajya Sabha. While the opposition has the right to raise concerns and objections to the bill, it is equally important for them to engage in meaningful debate and discussion. The minister’s criticism of Sibal’s actions serves as a reminder that creating confusion and then leaving the House without waiting for the minister’s response is not an effective way to engage in debate and discussion.
