The Bill, which seeks to amend the law governing waqf boards, has proposed far-reaching changes in the present Act, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.
Amid Congress's opposition, the Centre on Friday introduced the bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards in the Lok Sabha. It's draconian, fundamental attack on Constitution, Congress leader Venugopal said while opposing introduction of Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha.
As the Opposition slammed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended saying it does not intend to interfere with the freedom of any religious body and that no provision of the Constitution has been violated. Parliament Updates
Responding to objections raised by several opposition members on the introduction of the bill in Lok Sabha, Rijiju said Waqf Act 1995 did not serve its purpose, hence the amendment was planned.
"I want to tell Congress these amendments are being brought to achieve what you (Congress) couldn't," he said. Defending the amendments, Rijiju said a joint parliamentary committee had recommended that Waqf Act 1995 should be re-looked.
The issue also was discussed at a meeting of the party's Lok Sabha MPs that was chaired by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament House Annexe.
The Bill, which seeks to amend the law governing waqf boards, has proposed far-reaching changes in the present Act, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill also seeks to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.
According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, which was circulated among Lok Sabha members on Tuesday night ahead of its introduction, it seeks to omit Section 40 of the current law relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is waqf property.
It provides for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and ensures the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.
The Bill also proposes the establishment of a separate board of Auqaf for the Bohras and Aghakhanis. The draft law provides for the representation of Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis and other backward classes among Muslim communities.
Soon after Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought leave to introduce the bill, Congress MP KC Venugopal -- who had submitted notice to oppose its introduction -- accused the government of violating freedom of religion and attacking the federal system through it.
"This is a draconian law and a fundamental attack on the Constitution," Venugopal said.
He said people taught the BJP a lesson for its divisive politics but it was continuing with the same, keeping in mind the upcoming assembly elections in states such as Haryana and Maharashtra.
"It is a direct attack on freedom of religion … Next you will go for Christians, then Jains," he said.