Congress Opposes Waqf Boards Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha

The Congress party has decided to oppose the introduction of a bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards in the Lok Sabha. Party MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, discussed the bill's implications and deemed it unconstitutional. The bill proposes changes, including the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards.

The Congress party will oppose the introduction of the bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards in the Lok Sabha, according to party leaders.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of the party's Lok Sabha MPs chaired by Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament House Annexe. Following the meeting, the Congress MPs resolved to oppose the bill. Party leaders K C Venugopal and Hibi Eden have also submitted notices to this effect.

According to Venugopal, the bill's provisions could infringe on individuals' and religious institutions' property rights without adequate legal safeguards, while Eden argued it violates the Right to Property under Article 300A and infringes on the Fundamental Right of Religious Freedom under Article 25. The proposed bill includes changes such as the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards and renaming the current act to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.

(With inputs from agencies.)