Congress Opposes Controversial Waqf Amendment Bill

Congress is set to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, arguing it is unconstitutional and infringes on property rights and religious freedom. The Bill proposes significant changes, including broadening representation within Waqf boards and renaming the Waqf Act of 1995.

Congress is poised to oppose the introduction of the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, sources reported on Thursday. Key Congress MPs, K C Venugopal and Hibi Eden, have formally given notices in opposition.

Eden argued in his notice that the bill is 'unconstitutional' and poses conflicts with the Right to Property (Article 300A) and Fundamental Right of Religious Freedom (Article 25). He emphasized the Bill's potential to infringe on property rights of individuals and religious institutions without adequate legal safeguards.

The Bill proposes far-reaching amendments, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards, and renaming the current Waqf Act of 1995. It also introduces new conditions for creating waqfs and requires existing waqfs to submit detailed information on a government portal, which Eden contends is undue interference in religious endowments' administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)