In a surprising turn of events, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) has emerged as the third major ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to voice concerns over the controversial Waqf Amendment Bill. This development adds significant weight to the growing opposition faced by the proposed legislation, which aims to overhaul the administration of Waqf properties.
Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party had already expressed reservations about the bill. JD(U)’s objections are particularly noteworthy given the party’s initial support for the legislation. JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan had previously defended the bill during a Lok Sabha debate, positioning it as a necessary step towards greater transparency.
However, dissent has surfaced within JD(U) ranks. State Minority Welfare Minister Mohd Zama Khan has raised concerns about specific provisions in the bill. Reports suggest that Khan’s objections are shared by other influential JD(U) members, including Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary. Choudhary, a close aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has expressed apprehensions about the bill’s impact on the Muslim community. Similarly, JD(U) MLA Ghulam Gous has also voiced doubts regarding the proposed changes.
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The internal discord within JD(U) has led to high-level meetings between JD(U) Working President Sanjay Jha, Mohd Zama Khan, and Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Discussions have focused on addressing the concerns raised by JD(U) leaders and seeking modifications to the bill. Sources indicate that some Muslim clerics have criticized the bill, accusing it of perpetuating a “dangerous narrative” and failing to adequately empower Muslim women who are said to have suffered under the existing law.
Opposition parties, particularly the Congress, have denounced the bill as a “draconian” measure that undermines federal principles and infringes on fundamental rights. In response, Minister Rijiju has accused the Congress of neglecting these issues, asserting that the bill is designed to rectify injustices perpetuated by previous Waqf board administrations.
The escalating debate over the Waqf Amendment Bill has prompted the bill’s referral to a joint parliamentary committee for further examination. The 31-member committee, led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, held its inaugural session on Thursday. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for August 30, where further deliberations on the bill’s provisions will continue.