Opposition Creates Confusion & Leaves House: Rijiju in Rajya Sabha
The recent session of the Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju lashing out at senior members of the Opposition for creating confusion and leaving the House without staying back to listen to the replies. The minister’s comments came during the discussion on the bill, which aims to provide a more structured and transparent approach to the administration of Waqf properties in India.
Rijiju’s remarks were specifically targeted at senior Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal, who had raised questions about the properties of Waqf bodies and compared them to those of other religious bodies. Rijiju accused Sibal of creating confusion by bringing up irrelevant issues and then leaving the House without waiting for a response.
The minister’s criticism was not limited to Sibal alone, as he also took potshots at other Opposition members who had walked out of the House earlier in the day. Rijiju claimed that these members had raised issues and then left the House, leaving the government with no option but to respond to them in the absence of a meaningful discussion.
It is worth noting that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a significant piece of legislation that aims to bring transparency and accountability to the administration of Waqf properties. The bill seeks to establish a more structured approach to the management of Waqf properties, which are managed by trust boards and other entities. The bill also seeks to empower the Waqf boards to take decisions and make policies without interference from external authorities.
The bill has been opposed by several Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Left parties, who have claimed that it is an attempt to undermine the autonomy of the Waqf boards and to bring them under the control of the government. They have also claimed that the bill is discriminatory and that it will lead to the erosion of the rights of minority communities.
Rijiju’s criticism of Sibal and other Opposition members comes in the backdrop of a long-standing controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The bill has been stuck in the Rajya Sabha for several months, with the Opposition refusing to give it their support.
The controversy surrounding the bill has also led to a heated debate about the role of the Waqf boards and the administration of Waqf properties. Some critics have claimed that the Waqf boards are not transparent and that they are not accountable to the public. They have also claimed that the boards are not utilising the funds available to them effectively and that they are not providing adequate services to the minority communities.
On the other hand, supporters of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill have claimed that it is necessary to bring transparency and accountability to the administration of Waqf properties. They have also claimed that the bill will help to empower the Waqf boards and to ensure that they are utilising the funds available to them effectively.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the criticism leveled by Rijiju against Sibal and other Opposition members highlights the need for a more structured and transparent approach to the administration of Waqf properties. The bill is an important piece of legislation that aims to bring accountability and transparency to the management of Waqf properties, and it is essential that it is passed by the Rajya Sabha without any further delay.
