Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra said on Thursday (April 3) that our party has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusion, and ensured the rights of all communities. Patra expressed his views on the Waqf Amendment Bill and said that we respect the various sentiments expressed by different sections of minority communities about the Waqf Bill. Later, taking a U-turn on the Waqf Amendment Bill, the BJD told its MPs that today there is no whip of the party in the Rajya Sabha.
Sasamit Patra posted on X that Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusion, and ensured the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the various sentiments expressed by different sections of minority communities about the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Our party, considering these ideas carefully, has entrusted our honorable members in the Rajya Sabha to exercise their conscience in the best interest of the rights of all communities, if the bill comes to vote. The party has no whip.
The government introduced the amended bill after including the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee investigating the law presented in August last year. The Bill tries to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It aims to remove the shortcomings of the previous Act and increase the efficiency of Waqf boards, improve the registration process and increase the role of technology in the management of Waqf records. Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju today proposed to consider the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Muslim Waqf (Relations) Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Our Party,…
– darling seat i Dr. Sasmit Patra (@Sasmitpatra) April 3, 2025
