After LS, stormy Waqf debate in Upper House

The contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill that aims to implement sweeping changes in the regulation and management of Islamic charitable endowments triggered a bitter face-off between the government and the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday amid a marathon debate that spilled into the early hours of the morning.

- Prawesh Lama

The debate was on in the Rajya Sabha till the time of going to press. The government is confident of pushing the bill through the Upper House with the help of allies and smaller parties It was passed a day earlier in the Lok Sabha after a 12-hour debate that saw the legislation finally approved around 2am, with 288 votes in favour and 232 against.

After clearing Parliament, the bill - the second major legislation by the Union government connected to Islamic systems after the law banning triple talaq -will be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent.

In the Upper House, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) asserted that the opposition to the bill was borne out of an attempt to create a "false narrative", while the government's intention was to ensure "transparency and accountability" and efficiency in the running and management of the waqf boards.

"I stand in support of the bill as its sole purpose is to bring reforms in managing the Waqf properties....You made the Indian Muslim ladies second-grade citizens," Union health minister and BJP chief JP Nadda said. Union minister Kiren Rijiju, introducing the bill, said it is not biased against Muslims. "It has been said here that Muslims will be harmed by the step we are taking. Many people said this is unconstitutional, illegal and the right of Muslims is being snatched away... Very categorically, I want to reject all these allegations," he said.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman rebutted former Union minister Kapil Sibal, who alluded to land under religious trusts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and said that there should be reforms within Hindu religion too.