Giriraj Singh Warns Owaisi: Waqf Bill Will Follow Law
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Synopsis
Union Minister Giriraj Singh responded to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's remarks on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, asserting the Board will operate within legal boundaries. Singh emphasized the supremacy of law in India, rejecting Owaisi's claims of potential social instability.
Key Takeaways
- Giriraj Singh asserts Waqf Board will operate within legal limits.
- Asaduddin Owaisi warns of social instability due to the Waqf Bill.
- Singh emphasizes that law applies to all, regardless of religion.
- The opposition raised concerns over omitted dissent notes from the JPC report.
- Owaisi vows to protect Waqf properties from amendments.
New Delhi, Feb 4 (NationPress) Union Minister Giriraj Singh responded to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi regarding his comments on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, emphasizing that the Waqf Board will operate strictly under legal provisions.
Singh's remarks followed Owaisi's warning to the Centre in the Lok Sabha, where he claimed that the bill in its current state would infringe upon Articles 25, 26, and 14 of the Constitution, potentially causing social instability.
Addressing Owaisi's concerns, Singh stated that India is governed by the rule of law, regardless of religious affiliation. He asserted, This is India's Constitution. It does not belong to any one individual or community. Owaisi should not be under any misconception - India is ruled by law, with Narendra Modi as Prime Minister. The nation will operate within the framework of the law.
Reiterating the government's position, Singh remarked, Regardless of being Hindu or Muslim, no one is above the law. The era of instilling fear has ended. The Waqf Board will adhere strictly to legal stipulations.
Earlier, during his address on Monday, Owaisi had expressed, I am warning this government - if you proceed with the current version of the Waqf law, which violates Articles 25, 26, and 14, it will result in social instability within the country. The entire Muslim community has rejected it.
He criticized the proposed amendments, stating, No Waqf property will remain. You aim to transform India into Viksit Bharat; we also desire Viksit Bharat. If you choose to regress this country to the 1980s and early 1990s, that will be your responsibility. As a proud Indian Muslim, I will not concede an inch of my Masjid or Dargah. I will not permit that.
We will no longer engage in diplomatic discussions here. This is a House where I must speak candidly; my community, which I take pride in as Indians, owns this property. It is not given by anyone. You cannot seize it from me. Waqf is a form of worship for me,” he asserted.
In related news, opposition MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Md Nadimul Haque raised alarms on Monday about the alleged omission of significant sections of their dissent notes from the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
They wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, claiming their objections were removed without any prior notice or explanation.
