Separation of Church and State: Political Reactions to KCBC's Support for Waqf Bill
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Synopsis
The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council has urged MPs to support the Waqf Amendment Bill, leading to mixed political reactions, highlighting the intersection of religion and politics in contemporary discourse.
Key Takeaways
- Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council advocates for Waqf Bill changes.
- Political leaders express varied reactions to the KCBC's appeal.
- Importance of separating religion from politics emphasized.
- Dialogue encouraged to resolve differences.
- Bill under scrutiny in the ongoing Budget Session.
New Delhi, April 1 (NationPress) The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) has called upon Members of Parliament (MPs) to back the Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill, pushing for changes to certain provisions they deem unjust. This request has triggered a range of responses from political figures across various parties.
Samajwadi Party (SP) MP, Virendra Singh, remarked, “Everyone has their own thoughts and approaches. Following the recent introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill, there were objections upon review. Consequently, a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was established, but its findings have yet to be presented in Parliament. After the Cabinet passes the Waqf Amendment Bill, we will analyze it and deliberate on its merits. If it is flawed, we will oppose it in Parliament.”
Conversely, CPI MP, P. Santhosh Kumar, sharply criticized the Catholic Bishops' involvement, stating, “Whether they wish to engage in politics or not is irrelevant to us. We hold our political beliefs and will adhere to them. The KCBC ought to remain a non-political entity; I’m not well-versed in this, but the key point is to avoid conflating religion with politics.”
On the other hand, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Haris Beeran emphasized the enduring partnership between his party and the Catholic Bishops. “The IUML maintains a robust relationship with the Catholic Bishops' Council. We are actively engaging with them regarding their concerns, and we are optimistic about resolving the differences and achieving a harmonious solution,” Beeran noted, highlighting the significance of dialogue in addressing the issue.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP, Jebi Mather, acknowledged the Bishops’ perspectives, stating, “We hold respect for all viewpoints, including those of the Catholic Bishops' Council. If they have reservations about this matter, we are open to discussion and will clarify the real issues. We honor what the KCBC conveys, but we will tackle the matter and find a resolution.”
The KCBC has voiced its endorsement for amendments to the Central Waqf Act, asserting that specific provisions conflict with India’s secular and democratic principles.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India insists that political parties should adopt a constructive stance on the issue, underlining that the Bill must comply with the Constitution.
As the government aims to present the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament during the current Budget Session, the discourse surrounding the Bill continues to escalate, eliciting diverse political reactions.
