Karnataka Assembly passes resolution against Centre's Waqf Bill amid BJP walkout
Bengaluru, Mar 19 (PTI): The Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution against the Centre's Waqf (Amendment) Bill amid walkout by the opposition BJP.
The resolution was moved by the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil.
He said the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), set up to study the amendments to the law, acted "unilaterally and arbitrarily", disregarding the longstanding traditions of Parliament and "failing" to consider the views of the opposition members.
Patil noted that the JPC has recommended specific changes to the Act and submitted a report to Parliament, with the bill now being presented for parliamentary approval.
In response to the JPC’s invitation, various stakeholders, State Waqf Boards, and institutions submitted their opinions.
Despite objections from the Karnataka State Waqf Board and other stakeholders against the amendment, the Centre chose to present the bill unilaterally, which has now been introduced in Parliament, the Minister added.
“The proposed amendment to the Waqf Act encroaches and curtails the executive and legislative powers of the state government. The proposed amendment is against the principles of "Principle of Equity, Equality and Parity". Therefore, the proposed amendment is ultra vires,” Patil said.
“This House unanimously urges the Central Government to take immediate action to respect the unanimous views of the country by immediately withdrawing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which contains provisions that violate the fundamental principles of the Constitution."
The BJP MLAs voiced their opposition to the bill and called it "height of appeasement".
“We oppose the resolution. This government favours Pakistan and this is height of Muslim appeasement,” a BJP legislator said.
The opposition leader R Ashoka accused the ruling Congress of "turning a blind eye" to the suffering of farmers whose land records were altered in favour of the Waqf Board.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
