Waqf bill sparks intense debate in Parliament, Owaisi labels BJP as 'enemy of muslims'
New Delhi: The introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha today has ignited a heated debate, with several MPs from the INDIA bloc condemning the legislation as 'divisive,' 'anti-Muslim,' and 'unconstitutional.'
Prominent opposition leader Asaduddin Owaisi, MP from AIMIM, led the charge, accusing the BJP of being "enemies of Muslims" and infringing upon Muslim personal laws. He argued that the Bill seeks to undermine the Waqf system and convert Waqf properties into government assets, thereby threatening the autonomy of Muslim institutions.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also voiced his opposition, accusing the government of using the Bill as a pretext to sell Waqf land for the benefit of BJP members. Yadav described the legislation as a "strategic move" to influence upcoming state elections, particularly in Maharashtra and Haryana.
RSP MP NK Premachandran condemned the Bill as a potential constitutional violation and a dismantling of the Waqf system. He expressed concerns that the Bill's provisions could pave the way for the misuse and seizure of Waqf properties, undermining the rights of the Muslim community.
Congress MP K.C. Venugopal labeled the Bill as a "fundamental attack on the Constitution" and a misuse of power to target minority communities. He criticized the government for focusing on divisive legislation rather than addressing pressing national issues such as unemployment and inflation.
Supriya Sule, an MP from the NCP, raised procedural concerns, noting that many parliamentarians were first informed about the Bill through media reports rather than official channels. She called for either the withdrawal of the Bill or its referral to a standing committee for thorough scrutiny, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of its potential impact.
In defense of the Bill, Union Minister Lalan Singh asserted that the amendments are intended to enhance the efficiency of Waqf administration and are not aimed at interfering with the functioning of mosques or targeting Muslims. He claimed that the Bill incorporates recommendations from various reports and consultations aimed at improving Waqf management.
However, the opposition's criticisms remained strong, with DMK MP Kanimozhi adding that the Bill violates Article 30 of the Constitution, which protects the rights of minorities to manage their institutions. She accused the government of attempting to centralize control over Waqf properties, thereby eroding the autonomy of Muslim communities.
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TN polls: TVK pushes DMK behind with leads in 83 seats, AIADMK ahead in 54
Chennai (PTI): New entrant TVK, led by actor-politician Vijay, was leading in as many as 83 constituencies on Monday when counting of votes polled in the April 23 Assembly polls was on across Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK was leading in 58 seats while the ruling DMK was ahead in 34, EC data showed.
About two hours after the postal ballots were counted and EVMs opened for multi-round counting, Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam surged ahead of its Dravidian rivals-- the DMK and the AIADMK, with the ruling party struggling to catch up.
If the trends maintain, Vijay could as well ensure the biggest electoral upset, something in lines with the "1967,1977" wins he had referred to in his campaign speeches.
While the Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai brought the first non-Congress government in Tamil Nadu post-independence in 1967, the charismatic MG Ramachandran (MGR) installed the maiden AIADMK government 10 years later, unseating then DMK government under M Karunanidhi. TVK was leading in most Chennai segments, all considered DMK strongholds and currently represented by the party in the 234-member House.
A poor show by DMK could belie most exit polls giving an edge to it, riding on the number of populist measures Chief Minister M K Stalin had implemented in his five year "Dravidian model," inclusive governance.
According to EC and TV reports, 15 cabinet ministers, including Stalin were trailing. His son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi was also behind in his incumbent Chepauk-Tirvuvallikeni seat, according to a number of reports.
Stalin was trailing behind TVK's VS Babu by 1234 votes in Kolathur segment. Vijay was ahead in Tiruchirappalli East by over 3,000 votes at the end of two rounds of counting, according to EC data.
BJP is trailing in 26 constituencies and it is ahead in Thali segment alone. TVK is ahead in constituencies including Ponneri, Tiruvallur, Poonamalle, and Avadi.
AIADMK is leading in segments including Katpadi, and Guidyattam and party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is ahead in Edappadi segment by 7003 votes.
DMK was leading in segments including Vellore, Anaikattu and Rishivandiyam.
