Congress Leader Criticizes Waqf (Amendment) Bill as “Attack on Waqf Board Properties”

Senior Congress leader and Telangana Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmatullah Hussaini has sharply criticized the newly introduced Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Describing the bill as “a bulldozer on Waqf Board properties,” Hussaini denounced the proposed changes and urged the BJP’s alliance partners, including the TDP and JD(U), to oppose it.

The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, has ignited strong opposition. It proposes significant amendments to the Waqf Act, such as including Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf bodies and removing Section 40, which currently gives Waqf boards authority over Waqf properties.

Hussaini accused the BJP of “vendetta politics,” suggesting that the bill targets Waqf properties due to the party’s lack of support from minority voters. He announced that the Waqf Board will hold an emergency meeting to determine their next steps.

Opposition leaders, including Congress’s K.C. Venugopal, have criticized the bill as “draconian” and politically motivated, especially with upcoming state elections. However, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the bill, stating that it aims to broaden the law and address issues previously overlooked.

The bill has been referred to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for further review. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the JPC will be formed after consultations with party leaders, ensuring comprehensive examination of the bill before any further legislative action.