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Union Minister Kiren Rijiju urged MPs to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, stating that India’s vast Waqf properties should benefit the Muslim community. His appeal followed AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal’s controversial claim that key areas in Delhi, including Parliament, were built on Waqf land.
Badruddin Ajmal
New Delhi: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju called on all MPs to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, emphasising that India holds the largest amount of Waqf properties globally. Rijiju said that these properties should be used for the benefit of the Muslim community, particularly focusing on helping women, children, and backward groups.
We appeal to all MPs to support the Waqf Amendment Bill. Parliament & Municipal buildings, Airports, cities & villages need protection. India has largest Waqf properties in the world. We must use them for the welfare of women, children & backward groups within Muslim community. pic.twitter.com/ETLrmWb5uy
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 16, 2024
He made his appeal in a post on X, where he stressed the need to protect Waqf properties, including areas like Parliament, municipal buildings, airports, and cities across the country.
What Badruddin Ajmal said
This statement came in the midst of a controversy sparked by AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front) chief Badruddin Ajmal. Ajmal claimed that several prominent locations in Delhi, including Parliament and areas stretching to Vasant Vihar and the airport, were built on Waqf land. He further alleged that using Waqf land without proper permission was wrong, warning that ministers could lose their positions over this issue.
In response, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari criticised Ajmal’s remarks, accusing him of engaging in appeasement politics. Bhandari claimed that Ajmal’s vote base had shifted to Congress during the Lok Sabha elections, leading to his defeat. He also defended the government’s push for the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating that it aims to prevent misuse of Waqf land and ensure that it genuinely benefits poor Muslims.
Bhandari said that the Constitution promotes secularism, and leaders should avoid making claims that undermine the country’s sovereignty by suggesting that large areas of land belong to the Waqf Board.
Opposition MPs raise concern over handling of Waqf Bill
Meanwhile, the opposition MPs raised concerns over the handling of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, opposition members accused the chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Jagdambika Pal, of violating parliamentary conduct and rules during a meeting on October 14 in New Delhi.
The opposition MPs highlighted “gross violations” in the way the committee was run and criticised Pal’s conduct during discussions about the bill.
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