Congress, Shiv Sena issue whips as Waqf Bill to be tabled on Wednesday
In a significant development, the Indian Parliament is set to witness a heated debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, which is scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. As the bill is set to be taken up for discussion, major political parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena, and the ruling BJP, have issued whips to their MPs, mandating their presence in the Parliament.
According to reports, the Congress has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs, asking them to be present in the Parliament on April 2. This means that all Congress MPs are expected to attend the session and participate in the debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill. The three-line whip is a stern instruction, which is usually issued in cases of high importance or when the party’s stance on a particular issue is at stake.
Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also issued a whip to its MPs, although the nature of the whip is unclear. While the Congress has issued a three-line whip, the BJP’s whip is reportedly one-line, which is less stringent. However, it is expected that all BJP MPs will still attend the session and support the bill.
The Shiv Sena, which is an ally of the BJP, has also issued a whip to its MPs. The party has reportedly asked its MPs to be present in the Parliament and participate in the debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill. This is significant, as the Shiv Sena has been a vocal critic of the bill in the past and has demanded more representation for the Muslim community in the Waqf boards.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) has also issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to attend the session and participate in the debate on the bill. The SP has been critical of the bill, alleging that it seeks to undermine the autonomy of the Waqf boards and impinge upon the rights of the Muslim community.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, and empower the central government to appoint chairpersons and members of the Waqf boards. The bill has been criticized by opposition parties, who claim that it seeks to usurp the powers of the state governments and undermine the autonomy of the Waqf boards.
In a statement, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that an eight-hour discussion will take place on the bill, during which MPs can raise their concerns and objections. The minister also urged MPs to maintain decorum and respect the dignity of the House during the debate.
The Waqf Amendment Bill is significant, as it seeks to reform the Waqf system in India. The Waqf system is a unique institution that manages religious and charitable properties across the country. The Waqf boards, which are responsible for managing these properties, have been criticized for their inefficiency and corruption.
The bill has been criticized by opposition parties, who claim that it seeks to undermine the autonomy of the Waqf boards and impinge upon the rights of the Muslim community. The opposition parties have also demanded more representation for the Muslim community in the Waqf boards and have called for a more inclusive and participatory approach to waqf management.
In conclusion, the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, is set to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, amidst intense political controversy. The bill has been criticized by opposition parties, who claim that it seeks to undermine the autonomy of the Waqf boards and impinge upon the rights of the Muslim community. As the bill is set to be taken up for discussion, it remains to be seen how the opposition parties will respond to the bill and whether they will be able to successfully stall its passage.
