Senior BJP leader Smriti Irani has praised the introduction of an amended Waqf Bill, calling it the ‘need of the hour’ for Muslims. The bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, has sparked outrage among opposition parties. However, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has insisted that the changes do not infringe upon religious freedom or violate any constitutional provisions.
Irani, who lost her Amethi Lok Sabha seat to Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma earlier this year, expressed her gratitude to the government and Prime Minister Modi for introducing the bill. She believes the amendment is particularly important for Muslim women. The new bill, which renames the 1995 Waqf Act to the ‘Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act,’ aims to streamline the management and registration of Waqfs. It introduces a centralized portal and database for this purpose.
The bill also seeks to abolish a section regarding the board’s power to determine Waqf property. Furthermore, it proposes a broad-based composition for the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards, ensuring representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims. Notably, the bill also proposes the establishment of a separate board for the Boharas and Aghakhanis.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, NCP, Trinamool Congress, and AIMIM, have vehemently opposed the introduction of the bill, arguing that its provisions violate federalism and constitutional principles. Some members have demanded the bill’s withdrawal, while others have suggested it be sent to a standing committee for review.
