Gehlot Criticizes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Calls It a Distraction from Real Issues
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has strongly criticized the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Lower House of Parliament, accusing the Indian government of using it to divert public attention from more pressing national issues.
Gehlot, in a post on ‘X’, suggested that the bill was part of a strategy to shift focus away from critical issues such as inflation, unemployment, the ongoing slump in the stock market, and the devaluation of the rupee. “It seems that the Indian government repeatedly makes laws targeting the minority community to divert attention from important issues,” Gehlot wrote, further emphasizing that similar tactics had been observed during the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2020.
“To take political advantage of this, the issue was raised again and again, creating tension in the whole country,” he added, pointing to the CAA’s delayed implementation and the ongoing controversies surrounding the law. Gehlot asserted that there was no immediate need for a new law concerning Waqf properties, highlighting that the amendment could further fuel tensions between the majority and minority communities.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which aims to bring reforms to the management of Waqf properties in India, passed through the Lok Sabha after a lengthy 12-hour debate. Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju defended the bill, emphasizing its potential to improve the lives of impoverished Muslim families by addressing issues related to the governance and misuse of Waqf properties.
However, the bill has faced significant opposition, particularly in the Rajya Sabha, where intense debates and verbal squabbles erupted. The discussion escalated over several issues, including accusations by the opposition over the BJP’s motivations behind the bill, and the broader implications for the country’s minority communities. Home Minister Amit Shah intervened during the session, dismissing the opposition’s allegations that the government was attempting to polarize the electorate with the amendments to the Waqf legislation.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is now set for a crucial test in the Rajya Sabha, where it continues to generate heated debate over its potential impact on Indian society and its role in the political landscape ahead of the upcoming state and national elections.
