Rijiju: Govt ready to table Waqf Bill, schedule likely to be shared today

Sources said the BAC is expected to meet Tuesday at 12.30 pm and that the Waqf Bill is on the agenda. A decision will likely be made on the schedule for the Bill — including tabling it and time allocation for debate.

The Bill will have to be passed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to become a law. It is likely to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The Opposition parties and various Muslim organisations are strongly opposed to the Bill, slamming it as unconstitutional and against the interest of the Muslim community.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju accused some parties and organisations of resorting to lies to mislead society and trigger tensions on the Bill.
Muslims were urged to wear black armbands during Ramzan and Eid prayers to express their opposition to the proposed law, the minister said, adding that “inciting them to hit the streets is not good for the country”.

He said allegations that the Bill will enable the government to snatch Muslim properties like mosques and graveyards are propaganda and noted that the law regulating Waqf has been in existence since before Independence.

“We will reply to every single point. But a discussion should happen. Hungama (ruckus) gives nothing,” the minister said.

Asked if all the NDA parties support the Bill, Rijiju said “not only the ruling alliance but also many MPs of the opposition INDIA bloc have urged him to table the Bill quickly”.

The minister said the Waqf Bill is in the interest of a majority of Muslims and only a few leaders who have exploited Waqf properties for personal gains are against it. He also noted the support of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council to the Bill.