• Source:JND
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As the BJP and the Opposition engage in a heated debate over the Waqf Amendment Bill, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav accused the ruling party of diverting attention from its failures.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister alleged that the BJP was identifying Muslim-owned land to shift focus from the issue of those who lost their lives during the Mahakumbh. He claimed that the bill was merely a cover-up for the government's shortcomings.

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"Whenever BJP brings up a new Bill, it hides its failure. BJP is talking about identifying the land of Muslim brothers so that the issue of identifying the Hindus who have died or lost in Maha Kumbh can be covered up...Not only about the lives lost, but this government should tell where is the list of about 1,000 Hindus who have been lost and not been found yet,” he said.

The SP chief also said the Waqf Bill would hurt India’s secular image in the world and is a part of the BJP’s “divisive agenda”.

Responding to the allegations, BJP MP and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Waqf is not a religious body but a statutory body. He also read provisions of Article 25 from the Constitution to counter Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi.

Meanwhile, Odisha's opposition party Biju Janata Dal on Wednesday said it will oppose the contentious legislation. The party said it had made some suggestions to be incorporated into the Bill which were rejected.

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Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, presented the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha and kickstarted the discussion on the government's behalf. While addressing the House, he strongly criticised the Opposition for opposing the bill and underscored the necessity of implementing the proposed changes.