The Waqf Board Amendment Bill, 2024 has passed from the Lok Sabha. In voting in the lower house on Wednesday, 288 MPs voted in favor of the bill and 232 MPs in protest. However, even after voting, the attitude of NDA’s associate NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) did not come out. His MP Sunil Tatkare voted without telling the role of the party. Due to this, there is suspense on its stand on the Waqf Amendment Bill.
When all parties got a chance to speak in the Lok Sabha, why did Ajit Pawar’s party not express its opinion? This question has started arising now. NCP was voted in large numbers by Muslim voters in the assembly elections. Hassan Musharif, Saba Malik, these are the Muslim leaders who have reached the assembly after winning the election on the NCP ticket.
NCP has expressed concern
NCP has worried about the bill earlier. NCP chief Ajit Pawar had said that his party would not allow any injustice to Muslims. Pawar had said that the NCP has decided that if you (Muslims) have any concern about this bill, then we will listen to your concerns. We will not allow any injustice to the minorities. He said that we have three MPs and our promise that we will not allow any injustice to Muslims.
Bill pass after discussion of more than 10 hours
The bill was discussed for about 13 hours in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. After the debate, the bill was passed late at around 2 pm, which aims to ensure uniformity, transparency and accountability in the administration and management of Waqf properties.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to the discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the House, dismissing the claims of several opposition members to call this move as anti -Muslim, saying that this bill is being described as dividing Muslims, while the government is bringing all sections of the community including Shia, Sunni together.
Following Rijiju’s reply, the House dismissed the amendments of several opposition members and passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill by 288 votes against 232.