Opposition creates confusion & leaves House: Rijiju in Rajya Sabha
The debate in the Rajya Sabha has often been a platform for heated discussions and strong opinions. Recently, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju sparked a controversy by criticizing senior Rajya Sabha members for creating confusion and raising issues in the House, but not staying back to listen to the replies. This remark was made during the discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which aimed to bring reforms to the Waqf properties in India.
Rijiju’s statement was in response to the comments made by senior MP Kapil Sibal, who compared the properties of Waqf bodies with those of other religious bodies. The minister accused Sibal of creating confusion by making such a comparison, which led to a heated exchange between the two leaders.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced by the government to bring in reforms to the Waqf properties, which are managed by autonomous bodies known as Waqf Boards. These boards manage properties donated by Muslim donors for the benefit of the community. The bill aimed to bring transparency and accountability to the management of these properties, as well as to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are protected.
During the debate on the bill, Sibal raised concerns about the government’s intentions behind the amendment. He argued that the bill would lead to the takeover of Waqf properties by the government, which would be detrimental to the interests of the Muslim community. Rijiju countered Sibal’s arguments by saying that the bill was aimed at bringing in reforms to the Waqf system, and that it would ensure greater transparency and accountability in the management of these properties.
However, Rijiju’s criticism of Sibal did not go down well with the opposition parties. Many of them felt that the minister was trying to suppress their voices and stifle the debate. The opposition parties argued that the government was trying to push through the bill without listening to their concerns and that Rijiju’s statement was an attempt to intimidate them.
The dispute between Rijiju and Sibal highlighted the challenges of passing legislation in the Rajya Sabha. The House has often been plagued by delays and disruptions, which have led to the failure of many important bills. The opposition parties have often accused the government of using its majority to push through bills without consulting them, while the government has argued that the opposition is trying to delay the progress of the bills.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is just the latest example of the challenges faced by the Rajya Sabha. The bill is an important piece of legislation that aims to bring in reforms to the Waqf system, but the debate on the bill has been marred by controversy and confusion. The government’s decision to introduce the bill without consulting the opposition parties has led to accusations of bad faith and a lack of transparency.
The dispute between Rijiju and Sibal has also highlighted the need for greater civility and respect in the Rajya Sabha. The House has often been plagued by personal attacks and insults, which have led to a breakdown in the atmosphere of the House. The opposition parties have often accused the government of using its majority to bully them, while the government has argued that the opposition is trying to disrupt the proceedings of the House.
In conclusion, the dispute between Rijiju and Sibal has highlighted the challenges faced by the Rajya Sabha. The House has often been plagued by delays and disruptions, which have led to the failure of many important bills. The government’s decision to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill without consulting the opposition parties has led to accusations of bad faith and a lack of transparency. The need for greater civility and respect in the Rajya Sabha is essential for the smooth functioning of the House and the passage of important legislation.
