Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, speaking in Parliament today, accused the government of setting a precedent with the Waqf Amendment Bill that could lead to targeting other religious communities in the future.
“Today, they have their eyes on one community’s land; tomorrow, it will be another’s,” he warned, expressing concerns over potential future actions.
His remarks came during a heated debate on the bill, which has sparked controversy over its potential impact on Waqf properties and the broader question of religious land rights in India.
Waqf Amendment Bill Opposition Sparks Fear of Wider Religious Property Takeovers
The Waqf Amendment Bill, introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, seeks to change existing provisions related to Waqf properties. Critics argue that the proposed amendments could strip Waqf boards of certain administrative powers and open the door to government interference in religious trusts. The government, however, maintains that the bill aims to bring transparency and prevent the alleged misuse of Waqf properties.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, have voiced strong resistance to the bill, alleging that it is part of a larger pattern of policies targeting minority communities.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, defending the bill, dismissed the opposition’s concerns, stating that the amendments were necessary to address governance issues in Waqf boards. He also claimed that several Congress leaders privately supported the bill but were hesitant to do so publicly due to political considerations.
As debates over the bill continue, protests from various minority groups and civil society organizations have intensified. Many see the proposed changes as an attempt to weaken Waqf institutions and curb their autonomy.
With opposition leaders vowing to challenge the bill at every stage, the controversy surrounding it is likely to persist in the coming days.
