INDI Alliance holds meet, discusses strategy to oppose Waqf Bill
In a bid to strengthen their opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, members of the INDI Alliance, a conglomerate of opposition parties, held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss a unified strategy to counter the government’s move. The meeting took place a day before the Bill is scheduled to be tabled in the Lok Sabha.
The meeting was attended by prominent leaders of the opposition, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav, Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh, Trinamool Congress’s Kalyan Banerjee, and Nationalist Congress Party-Shiv Sena’s Supriya Sule.
The opposition parties are vehemently opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The Bill aims to increase the jurisdiction of the Central Waqf Council and empower it to oversee the management of waqf properties across the country. However, the opposition parties have raised concerns that the Bill is an attempt to dilute the powers of the state governments and undermine the autonomy of the waqf boards.
During the meeting, the opposition leaders discussed various strategies to oppose the Bill in Parliament. They also deliberated on the amendments they plan to move to the Bill to strengthen their opposition.
According to sources, the opposition leaders have decided to adopt a multi-pronged approach to oppose the Bill. They plan to raise the issue in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and also use various forums, including the media and social media, to highlight their concerns.
The opposition parties have also decided to move a motion of disapproval in the Lok Sabha, which will effectively block the Bill from being passed. They will also try to persuade other parties to join their cause and oppose the Bill.
The meeting comes amid reports that a parliamentary panel has rejected all of the opposition’s amendments to the Bill. The opposition parties had moved several amendments to the Bill, including one that sought to delete the provision empowering the Central Waqf Council to oversee the management of waqf properties.
The parliamentary panel, which was set up to scrutinize the Bill, has reportedly rejected all of the opposition’s amendments, paving the way for the Bill to be tabled in the Lok Sabha.
The opposition parties are likely to face a tough battle in opposing the Bill, given the government’s majority in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. However, they are determined to put up a strong fight and are likely to use all possible means to block the Bill.
The meeting of the INDI Alliance comes amid growing tensions between the opposition and the government over the Waqf Bill. The opposition parties have accused the government of trying to impose its will on the waqf boards and undermine the autonomy of the state governments.
The government, on the other hand, has defended the Bill, saying it is aimed at promoting the welfare of the waqf properties and ensuring their effective management. The government has also accused the opposition parties of playing politics over the issue and trying to block the Bill for political gains.
As the debate over the Waqf Bill heats up, it remains to be seen how the opposition parties will fare in their efforts to block the Bill. One thing is certain, however – the INDI Alliance’s meeting on Tuesday has sent a strong message to the government that the opposition is united and determined to oppose the Bill.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/waqf-bill-showdown-india-bloc-meeting-strategy-9918853/lite/
