Clashes Erupt in Rajya Sabha Over Waqf Bill Debate

New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is currently undergoing a pivotal test in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, just a day after it successfully navigated through the Lok Sabha following an extensive 12-hour debate. The Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, introduced the Bill, highlighting its potential to significantly improve the conditions of impoverished Muslim families.

The proceedings in the Upper House were marked by numerous heated exchanges as members from both the ruling and opposition parties clashed over various points, including the claims made by the Leader of Opposition in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge, regarding Waqf landholdings and the ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans that surfaced after a Congress MP's electoral victory in Karnataka.

The tumultuous session also prompted interventions from Home Minister Amit Shah, who accused the opposition of disseminating false information pertaining to the Waqf Bill and refuted allegations that the BJP was attempting to polarize voters with proposed amendments.

The initial confrontation arose when Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain from Karnataka criticized the Centre for making misleading statements about the lack of legal recourse against decisions made by the Waqf Tribunal.

"They claim that under the current Act, individuals cannot appeal in court if they disagree with the Tribunal's verdict. This is utterly incorrect. If that were true, why are there so many unresolved cases in the High Court and Supreme Court?" questioned the Congress representative.

In response, HM Amit Shah dismissed Hussain's assertions, stating that there is no option for a civil suit against the Waqf Tribunal's ruling, which he described as ‘discriminatory’, as it diminishes the claimant’s demands and upholds Waqf’s claims.

“The 2013 Act contained no provision for civil suits, which have broader implications. The only available option was a writ petition in the High Court, which has a very limited scope,” HM Shah clarified.

Hussain, who received several extensions from the Chair at Congress' request, continued his attack on the government over what he referred to as ‘flawed and fabricated’ references concerning 123 Waqf properties in the national capital.

“Are you attempting to render us second-class citizens? Confusion is being sown regarding 123 properties. These include mosques, dargahs, and graveyards, which were allocated to the Waqf by the British. The ownership confusion is unfounded, as the British authorities entrusted these properties to the Waqf when they constructed Lutyens’ Delhi,” he argued.

Hussain further accused the BJP of leveraging the Waqf Bill to deepen community divides and cause polarization.

The following confrontation occurred when BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agarwal entered the Waqf discussion, stating, “When Syed Nasser Husain was inaugurated to the Rajya Sabha in Bengaluru, I was present in Karnataka. His supporters shouted Pakistan Zindabad. When BJP activists protested, they were arrested.”

Agarwal characterized the Waqf Bill as ‘revolutionary’, asserting that it is the first reformative legislation introduced under the Narendra Modi administration aimed at enhancing the welfare of the Muslim community.

He also highlighted the percentage of Muslims benefiting from various welfare initiatives by the Modi government, including PM Awas Yojana, Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, and free ration schemes.

However, Agarwal's mention of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ provoked ire from the Congress party.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari protested against this, asserting that no member should accuse another without providing necessary documentation and proof, and that permission from the Chair is required for such allegations.

In defense, HM Shah responded to Tiwari’s claims, asserting that the BJP MP did not make any accusations against Naseer Hussain.

HM Shah explained that the BJP MP merely reported that ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were uttered during Naseer Hussain's swearing-in.

“It was not the RS member making these remarks, but some individuals present during the ceremony,” HM Shah defended, quoting Radha Mohan Das.

Naseer Hussain objected to these claims, calling them entirely false.

He stated that no one heard such slogans except for a journalist who made this assertion. The Congress MP emphasized that he had instructed the police to take action if such an incident occurred.

Earlier in the session, as the Waqf debate commenced, LoP Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government and voiced strong objections to allegations made against him by BJP MP Anurag Thakur in the Lok Sabha the previous day.

Kharge expressed his deep distress over the accusations, stating, “The BJP MP must substantiate his claims. If he does, I will resign. But if he fails to do so, he should resign from the House.”