Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has sparked a major political showdown as the BJP-led central government prepares to present it in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, April 2. The Bill, set to be tabled in the Rajya Sabha a day later, has become the latest flashpoint between the ruling NDA and the united INDIA bloc. Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju confirmed that the Business Advisory Committee has agreed on an eight-hour debate in the Lok Sabha.
With the BJP requiring a simple majority of 272 in the 542-member Lok Sabha, its 240 MPs backed by allies—12 from JD(U), 16 from TDP, five from LJP (RV), seven from Shiv Sena, and two from RLD—position the government strongly. The bill is expected to sail through if the NDA coalition votes in unison.
On the other hand, the Opposition, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, AAP, DMK, RJD, NCP (SP), Left parties, and others, has vowed to oppose the Bill collectively. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the alliance is ready to take on the “unconstitutional and divisive” agenda of the BJP, while Rahul Gandhi called for a united resistance to protect constitutional values.
The Waqf Bill, officially titled the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Bill, proposes reforms such as digitisation, better auditing, and mechanisms to reclaim encroached Waqf properties. While the government maintains the Bill aims to empower poor Muslims and improve transparency, critics claim it encroaches on minority rights and undermines community autonomy.
The JD(U), LJP (RV), TDP, and Shiv Sena have extended support, with leaders asserting that the bill does not violate Muslim rights. TDP’s Prem Kumar Jain stated Chandrababu Naidu is committed to the interests of the Muslim community, while JD(U) confirmed consultations were held with Muslim boards and leaders to address concerns.
In the Rajya Sabha, where the Bill needs support from 119 MPs in the 245-member House, the NDA claims to have 125 votes—98 from BJP, four JD(U), two TDP, three NCP, one Sena, one RLD—plus likely support from nominated members and smaller parties like Asom Gana Parishad and Tamil Maanila Congress.
Despite the numbers seemingly favouring the government, the Opposition has called for a thorough debate and warned against bulldozing the legislation without adequate discussion. AAP, TMC, and RJD leaders emphasised that any attempt to silence parliamentary voices would be met with strong resistance.
As Parliament braces for heated exchanges, the fate of the Waqf Amendment Bill will test both the strength of the ruling coalition and the unity of the Opposition.
