Not against Muslims: NDA’s youngest MP Shambhavi on Waqf Bill
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has been making headlines with its stance on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, which is set to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, has raised concerns among many in the Muslim community. However, Shambhavi Choudhary, the youngest MP of the NDA and a leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), has come out to clarify that the bill is not against Muslims. In an exclusive interview with News18, Shambhavi emphasized that the bill has been amended based on references provided by the LJP and that her party is fully supporting the bill.
Shambhavi, who is also the daughter of the late Ram Vilas Paswan, a prominent leader of the NDA, stated that her party is committed to ensuring the rights and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. “We believe in equality and justice for all,” she said. “The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is a measure to ensure that the properties of Waqf boards are used for the benefit of the community and not for personal gain.”
The bill, which was introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha, aims to allow the Waqf boards to use their properties for various purposes, including education, healthcare, and employment. However, many Muslim leaders and organizations have criticized the bill, claiming that it is an attempt to take away their rights and privileges.
Shambhavi acknowledged that the bill has raised concerns among some Muslim groups, but she emphasized that it is not intended to be discriminatory. “We understand that some people may have concerns about the bill, but we assure them that it is not against Muslims,” she said. “In fact, the bill is intended to benefit the Waqf boards and the Muslim community as a whole.”
The NDA government has been facing criticism from various quarters over its handling of the bill. Many have accused the government of trying to divide the Muslim community and create a rift between them and other religious groups. However, Shambhavi dismissed these allegations, stating that the government is committed to maintaining harmony and unity among all religious groups.
“We believe in the principle of secularism and we are committed to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, are treated equally and with respect,” she said. “We will not tolerate any attempts to divide the Muslim community or create a rift between them and other religious groups.”
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is not the first controversy to surround the NDA government’s handling of the Waqf boards. In 2020, the government had introduced a bill to allow the Waqf boards to use their properties for various purposes, including commercial activities. However, the bill was met with criticism from many Muslim leaders and organizations, who claimed that it was an attempt to take away their rights and privileges.
Shambhavi acknowledged that the government had faced criticism over its handling of the Waqf boards, but she emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring the rights and well-being of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. “We understand that some people may have concerns about the government’s handling of the Waqf boards, but we assure them that we are committed to ensuring that the rights and privileges of all citizens are respected and protected,” she said.
In conclusion, Shambhavi’s statement has clarified that the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is not intended to be discriminatory against Muslims. While some Muslim leaders and organizations may still have concerns about the bill, Shambhavi’s assurance that the bill is intended to benefit the Waqf boards and the Muslim community as a whole may help to alleviate some of those concerns. The bill will be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, and it remains to be seen how it will be received by lawmakers and the public.
