“We are not targeting anyone,” says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi as INDIA bloc questions government on Waqf amendment

New Delhi [India], August 8 (ANI): Launching a scathing attack against the opposition parties over opposing the Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday said that they(opposition) want to misguide some people in the community and are trying to tarnish the image of India.

“We are not targeting anyone. They (Opposition) want to only create an atmosphere. Our minister will explain in detail when he introduces the bill. They want to misguide some people in the community. They are trying to tarnish the image of India. We are one of the best democracies in the world…” said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.

Meanwhile, RJD MP Misa Bharti stated that INDIA alliance parties and RJD will oppose this bill. Adding to that, she emphasised, “The government is not talking on issues of unemployment, inflation…”

Calling the motives of the government “sinister”, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, “As I’ve said, the motives of the government are always sinister and I think we will be opposing this bill and there’s been no wider consultation with stakeholders and we think it should be referred to the Standing Committee before it’s brought to passing in the House.

Showcasing opposition against the Waqf amendment, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, “This amendment bill should come through the Standing Committee. We (the opposition) will oppose this bill unitedly…”

Notably, apart from introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Kiren Rijiju will also introduce The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 which seeks to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995It seeks to clearly define “waqf” as waqf by any person practising Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women.