Waqf Bill: Opposition’s walkout from BAC meeting; Gaurav Gogoi said- The voice of democracy is being crushed

The Waqf Amendment Bill is likely to be discussed and discussed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, which has been strongly opposed by the opposition parties. Eight hours after the proposed discussion, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will respond to the debate and seek the approval of the House to pass it. Sources said that the issue was discussed in the meeting of the Working Committee (BAC) under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. While presenting the bill last year, the government proposed to send it to the Joint Committee of both the houses.

 

After the report was submitted by the committee, the Union Cabinet approved some changes in the original bill based on the recommendation of the committee. In the BAC meeting, while the opposition sought 12 hours for discussion, the government emphasized a short time so that other legislative works could also be done. Due to this, there was a sharp noise between the government and the opposition in the meeting, as a result of which the opposition extended the House.

In the Lok Sabha, Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi said that the opposition went out of the BAC meeting as the government was not pushing its agenda forward and the demand for discussion on voter card-base seeding was not accepted. He alleged, “There is no place for the opposition.” He said that the whole country is seeing how the voice of democracy is slowly being crushed. Talking to reporters later, Rijiju said that some parties were demanding four to six hours, while the opposition was demanding 12 hours. He said that the Speaker fixed eight hours for the debate, which can be extended after knowing the opinion of the House. He wondered why the opposition went out of the BAC meeting. He said that soon after the Question Hour ending at 12 noon, he will present the bill to consider and pass.

 

Rijiju said that the Rajya Sabha will be informed about the passage of the bill by the lower house, so that it can decide on it. Opposition parties are strongly opposing this bill, they have described it as against the interests of unconstitutional and Muslim community. Many major Muslim organizations are gathering support against this bill. The purpose of this bill is to improve the management and administration of Waqf properties in India. The session will end on 4 April.