BJP's Minority Morcha Raises Concerns Over Waqf Amendment Bill

Members of BJP's Minority Morcha voiced their concerns to Minister Kiren Rijiju over the Waqf Amendment Bill, citing lack of consultation with minority representatives and the pressure they face from their communities. The Bill, proposing major changes, has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

During a recent meeting of the BJP's Minority Morcha, members expressed dissatisfaction to Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been dealing with internal discord over the bill.

Members stressed their unease over the government presenting this significant bill in Parliament without prior consultation with them, highlighting the difficult positions they face within their communities when questioned.

In the Budget session, the central government introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill, which proposes substantial changes, such as appointing non-Muslim executive officers and members to state Waqf boards and enabling the District Collector to decide if a property is Waqf-owned or government land.

Facing opposition from various quarters, including NDA allies, the government has referred the bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. During a recent workshop attended by Kiren Rijiju, Minority Morcha leaders vocally questioned the exclusion of minority representatives from discussions about the bill.

The members underscored the challenges they face from their communities when such bills are introduced without adequate explanation, urging steps to address misconceptions surrounding the Waqf Bill. Jamal Siddiqui, President of BJP's Minority Morcha, acknowledged the raised concerns but emphasized the workshop's focus on the bill's positive aspects.

Siddiqui stated that no party officials opposed the bill and assured efforts to raise awareness about it. He also highlighted longstanding issues of Waqf property misuse, such as the construction of a hotel on Waqf land in Uttarakhand and the leasing of Delhi's Oberoi Hotel for a meager amount.

(With inputs from agencies.)