Opposition Creates Confusion & Leaves House: Rijiju in Rajya Sabha
The ongoing debates in the Rajya Sabha have taken a new turn with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticizing senior members of the opposition for creating confusion and raising issues without staying back to listen to the replies. The remark was made during the discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, highlighting the growing tensions between the ruling and opposition parties in the Upper House.
According to reports, Rijiju took aim at senior Rajya Sabha member, Kapil Sibal, for creating confusion by comparing the properties of Waqf bodies with those of other religious bodies. Rijiju accused Sibal of deliberately trying to mislead the House and not staying back to listen to the replies from the government. This remark has sparked a fresh controversy, with many opposition members defending Sibal and accusing Rijiju of being overly aggressive.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a crucial piece of legislation that aims to streamline the functioning of Waqf boards, which manage properties and assets donated to religious institutions. The bill has been facing opposition from various quarters, with many criticizing the government for trying to dilute the autonomy of Waqf boards.
Rijiju’s comments were made during the debate on the bill, where Sibal had raised concerns about the potential impact of the legislation on the properties of Waqf bodies. Sibal had compared the properties of Waqf bodies with those of other religious bodies, arguing that the government was trying to undermine the autonomy of Waqf boards. Rijiju, however, accused Sibal of creating confusion and not staying back to listen to the replies from the government.
“This is not the first time that senior members of the opposition are creating confusion and then leaving the House without staying back to listen to the replies,” Rijiju said. “We want to have a healthy debate, but the opposition is using this as an opportunity to create confusion and then leave the House without staying back to listen to the replies.”
Rijiju’s comments have been widely criticized by opposition members, who accuse him of being overly aggressive and trying to suppress their voices. Many have questioned the government’s motives behind the bill, arguing that it is an attempt to undermine the autonomy of Waqf boards and to give more powers to the government.
The opposition has also accused the government of trying to push through the bill without proper consultation with stakeholders. Many have expressed concerns that the bill could potentially lead to the takeover of Waqf properties by the government, which could have far-reaching implications for the religious institutions and communities that depend on these properties.
In response to Rijiju’s comments, opposition members have accused him of being selective in his criticism. They argue that Rijiju is not criticizing the government for its own mistakes, but instead is trying to deflect attention from the real issues and to create confusion.
“This is a classic case of the government trying to deflect attention from its own mistakes,” said a senior opposition member. “Rijiju is not criticizing the government for its own mistakes, but instead is trying to create confusion and to silence the opposition.”
The controversy has also highlighted the growing tensions between the ruling and opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha. The House has been witnessing frequent disruptions and adjournments, with opposition members accusing the government of trying to suppress their voices.
In the midst of this controversy, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill remains a contentious issue. The government has maintained that the bill is necessary to streamline the functioning of Waqf boards and to ensure transparency and accountability. However, the opposition remains skeptical, arguing that the bill will undermine the autonomy of Waqf boards and give more powers to the government.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government and the opposition will resolve their differences. One thing is clear, however – the opposition’s decision to create confusion and leave the House without staying back to listen to the replies has only added to the controversy and has further polarized the atmosphere in the Rajya Sabha.
