Waqf Bill Protests: Congress Plays Same Old Tune, Calls Centre's Move A 'Threat To Harmony'

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday, yet again has voiced the same old tune where it described the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as an "assault" on the Constitution and alleged that the proposed legislation was part of the BJP's move as an "attempts to damage" the centuries-old bonds of social harmony.

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, described the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 as "deeply flawed," asserting that it seeks to dilute Constitutional provisions ensuring equal rights and protection for all citizens, regardless of religion.

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The opposition party accused the BJP of attempting to "demonize minority communities" through propaganda and fostering prejudice. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, claiming it was part of the BJP's broader strategy to undermine social harmony in India's diverse, multi-religious society.

Congress leader further alleged that the BJP's actions were aimed at "defaming traditions and institutions of minority communities," keeping society in a state of permanent polarization for electoral gains.

Ramesh strongly criticized the actions taken to undermine the institutions established by previous laws to manage Waqfs, alleging that these efforts were deliberately aimed at diminishing the authority, composition, and stature of these institutions, ultimately depriving the community of its right to manage its own religious traditions and affairs. He pointed out, "Deliberate ambiguity has been introduced for determining who can donate their land for waqf purposes, thus altering the very definition of waqf itself." 

Furthermore, Ramesh argued that the waqf-by-user concept, which had been developed by the judiciary based on long-standing customary practices, is now being abolished, stripping away an essential component of the community's religious and cultural heritage.

Congress Cries Over Waqf Bill

"Most fundamentally, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is an assault on the Constitution of India itself," Jairam asserted.

Ramesh condemned the handling of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill by the Parliament's joint committee, stating, "It bears recall that a 428-page report was literally bulldozed through the JPC without it ever having gone through a detailed clause-by-clause discussion. It thus violates all Parliamentary practices." 

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His remarks came after the joint committee submitted its report on the bill, with speculation growing that the proposed legislation could soon be brought for passage in Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session, despite concerns over the lack of thorough deliberation.

The 31-member panel on the Bill, after multiple sittings and hearings, suggested several amendments to the proposed legislation, even as the opposition members disagreed with the report and submitted dissent notes. The 655-page report was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. The joint committee adopted the report that contained changes suggested by members of the ruling BJP by a 15-11 majority vote. The move prompted the opposition to dub the exercise an attempt to destroy Waqf boards.

The Bill was referred to the joint committee on August 8 last year, following its introduction in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.