Opposition Creates Confusion & Leaves House: Rijiju in Rajya Sabha
The recent session of the Rajya Sabha saw a heated debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticizing senior members of the Opposition for creating confusion and raising issues that they refused to stay back to listen to the replies. The minister’s remarks came amidst a discussion on the Bill, which aims to provide more autonomy to Waqf boards and ensure transparency in their functioning.
During the debate, MP Kapil Sibal created controversy by comparing the properties of Waqf bodies with those of other religious bodies. Rijiju took exception to Sibal’s comments, saying that the senior Congress leader was creating confusion and not allowing the government to clarify its stand on the issue.
“This is not a debate, this is a drama,” Rijiju said, adding that Sibal was raising issues that were not relevant to the Bill and was not willing to listen to the government’s response. “He is creating confusion, not allowing us to clarify. This is not the way to conduct a debate,” the minister said.
Rijiju’s criticism was directed not only at Sibal but also at other senior Opposition members who, he claimed, were raising frivolous issues and then walking out of the House without listening to the government’s response. The minister said that this was a clear case of “politics over policy”.
The minister’s outburst was in response to Sibal’s comments that the Waqf Amendment Bill was an attempt to “privatise” Waqf properties, which were meant to be used for the welfare of the Muslim community. Sibal claimed that the government was trying to “loot” the properties of Waqf bodies, which were not accountable to anyone.
Rijiju rejected Sibal’s allegations, saying that the government was committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the functioning of Waqf boards. He said that the Bill aimed to provide more autonomy to Waqf boards, which would enable them to function more efficiently and effectively.
The minister also pointed out that the Waqf Amendment Bill was a result of a thorough consultation process with various stakeholders, including religious leaders and community representatives. He said that the Bill was designed to address the concerns of all communities and ensure that Waqf properties were used for the welfare of the people.
Rijiju’s criticism of the Opposition’s behavior was echoed by other government members, who accused them of creating unnecessary controversy and trying to disrupt the functioning of the House. The minister’s remarks were seen as a reflection of the growing frustration among government members with the Opposition’s tactics in the Rajya Sabha.
The Waqf Amendment Bill is just the latest in a series of Bills that have been stalled or delayed in the Rajya Sabha due to Opposition protests. The Bill has been criticized by various religious leaders and community representatives, who claim that it is an attempt to “privatize” Waqf properties and undermine the autonomy of Waqf boards.
However, the government has maintained that the Bill is designed to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of Waqf boards, and has accused the Opposition of creating unnecessary controversy and trying to disrupt the functioning of the House.
In conclusion, Rijiju’s criticism of the Opposition’s behavior in the Rajya Sabha highlights the growing frustration among government members with the tactics of the Opposition. The minister’s remarks also underscore the need for a more constructive and respectful approach to debates in the House, where members are willing to listen to each other’s views and engage in meaningful discussions.
