The controversial Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, is set to be discussed and possibly passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with tensions rising between the ruling BJP-led government and the opposition parties. The opposition, which includes the INDIA bloc, staged a walkout on Tuesday, calling the bill unconstitutional.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju spoke to reporters and confirmed that the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC), which includes leaders from all major parties, had agreed to an eight-hour debate on the bill. Rijiju added that the debate could be extended if needed, depending on the sense of the House.
However, the initial signs of a heated exchange were clear as Congress and other INDIA bloc members walked out during the meeting, accusing the government of stifling their voices. Despite the political tensions and a potentially lengthy debate, the outcome is expected to favor the BJP, as the ruling coalition holds a strong majority in the Lok Sabha.
For the bill to become law, it needs to be passed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha before being signed by the President.
The BJP-led NDA holds 293 seats in the Lok Sabha, which has a total strength of 542 MPs. The NDA needs 272 votes to pass the bill. The BJP itself has 240 MPs, and its allies, including the Telugu Desam Party (16 seats), Janata Dal (United) (12 seats), Shiv Sena (7 seats), and others, are expected to support the bill.
“We are confident of full backing from our allies. The Joint Parliamentary Committee has addressed their concerns,” Kiren Rijiju said, referring to the government’s optimism about passing the bill.
On the other side, opposition parties are united in their strong opposition to the bill, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to the Muslim community. The Congress Party, with 99 seats, is leading the INDIA bloc’s campaign against the bill. Other parties opposing the bill include the Samajwadi Party (37 seats), TMC (28 seats), DMK (22 seats), and others, totaling 235 votes against the NDA’s 293.
Asaduddin Owaisi, the lone MP from AIMIM, also expressed his opposition, although AIMIM is not part of the INDIA bloc.
The Waqf Amendment Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet after incorporating changes suggested by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and referred to the JPC in August 2024. Despite objections from all opposition MPs on the committee, the report was adopted with a majority vote.
The bill, which is comprehensive with 655 pages of details, was presented to both Houses of Parliament earlier this month.
