Waqf Bill: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is poised for a significant discussion in Parliament, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressing confidence in securing backing from essential allies. A major confrontation is anticipated between the government and the Opposition as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is scheduled for deliberation and approval in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The bill is expected to be presented to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Kiren Rijiju, the Minister for Minorities and Parliamentary Affairs, informed the media that the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC), which comprises leaders from all principal parties and is led by Speaker Om Birla, has agreed to an eight-hour debate.
On Tuesday, senior party officials indicated that the BJP is optimistic about receiving support from key allies, including the Janata Dal (United), the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), whose endorsement is vital for the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill to pass through Parliament.
Conversely, the Opposition INDIA bloc has united to formulate a collective strategy to challenge the Waqf Bill in the legislative assembly. Both the BJP and Congress have issued directives to their Members of Parliament to ensure their attendance in Parliament.
Supporters of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill
Leaders from parties such as Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) have affirmed that they will not obstruct the bill’s passage, contending that the Opposition’s claim that the bill infringes on minority rights is misguided.
“A senior JD(U) leader stated that our party has already engaged with representatives from the Muslim Personal Law Board, the Waqf Board, and various religious leaders, assuring them that their concerns will be communicated to the government and addressed,” he remarked.
Additionally, a senior lawmaker from the LJP (RV) confirmed their support, emphasizing that the party aims to highlight its commitment to assisting impoverished Muslims rather than aligning with the Opposition’s narrative.
N Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party has expressed its support for the bill, asserting that it will not infringe upon the rights of Muslims. TDP spokesperson Prem Kumar Jain stated, “Our party will back it. Chandrababu Naidu has already indicated that we will act in the best interests of the Muslim community.”
Shiv Sena has issued a three-line whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs, instructing them to be present in the House on April 2 and 3 to endorse the government’s position.
Union minister Chirag Paswan, who heads the LJP(RV), has similarly directed all his party’s MPs in the Lok Sabha to attend the session.
Opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill
On Tuesday, opposition parties convened a meeting at the Parliament House to strategize in anticipation of a confrontation regarding the controversial bill. The meeting was attended by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal, along with Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav, Nationalist Congress Party’s Supriya Sule, Trinamool Congress’s Kalyan Banerjee, and Aam Aadmi Party’s Sanjay Singh.
Also present were DMK’s TR Baalu, Tiruchi Siva, and Kanimozhi, RJD’s Manoj Kumar Jha, CPI-M’s John Brittas, CPI’s Sandosh Kumar P, RSP’s NK Premchandran, and Vaiko. Kharge stated in a post on X, ” opposition parties are united and will collaborate in Parliament to counter the unconstitutional and divisive agenda of the Modi government regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill.”
In a Facebook post, Rahul Gandhi noted that a meeting of opposition leaders from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha took place in Parliament. He mentioned, “During the meeting, we engaged in an extensive discussion about the Waqf bill scheduled for tomorrow.”
Congress leader Venugopal emphasized the necessity to oppose the bill to “uphold the constitutional values” of the nation, asserting, “This is a blatant violation of the Constitution. Those who uphold the Constitution will certainly resist it.”
TMC MP Banerjee stated, “We intend to engage in both discussions and voting. Our goal is to have a dialogue, but the BJP seems unwilling to participate. We wish to address this issue on the floor of Parliament and take part in the voting process, yet the BJP is obstructing our opportunity to discuss it.”
RJD MP Jha remarked that if the BJP-led central government attempts to “bulldoze” the opposition, it will be compelled to withdraw the Bill. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule emphasized that a robust democracy is governed by the Constitution. “We will engage in the discussion tomorrow… We will collectively participate in the debate,” she affirmed.
Does the BJP have the necessary numbers in Parliament?
In the Lok Sabha, the BJP requires a simple majority of 272 votes for the bill’s approval. Out of 542 MPs, 240 belong to the BJP, with 12 from the JD(U), 16 from the TDP, five from the LJP (RV), two from the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), and seven from the Shiv Sena. If the NDA remains united, the bill is likely to pass.
In the Rajya Sabha, the NDA comprises 125 MPs, including 98 from the BJP, four from the JD(U), two from the TDP, three from the Nationalist Congress Party, one from the Shiv Sena, and one from the RLD.
In this 245-member house, the bill requires the support of 119 MPs. The NDA is optimistic about securing the backing of smaller parties such as the Asom Gana Parishad and Tamil Mannila Congress, along with six nominated members.
