• By Shibra Siddiqui
  • Wed, 02 Apr 2025 03:04 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
Add as a preferred

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Although the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) (JDU), holds a majority in both Houses of Parliament, it remains to be seen whether the legislation will be passed. The Bill, which seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India, has garnered massive opposition from the INDIA Bloc parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Samajwadi Party, and others.

The BJP and its allies have issued whips to their respective members, instructing them to remain present in the House and support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. BJP allies, including the TDP, JDU, and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) (Ram Vilas), who have considerable Muslim support in their respective states, initially raised concerns over the Bill. However, they are unlikely to vote against its passage. According to a report by The Indian Express, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key BJP ally, might seek one change in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

TDP and Janasena’s Stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024

Led by South Indian actor Pawan Kalyan, Janasena has extended its unconditional support to the BJP on the Waqf Bill, stating that the party believes the amendment will "benefit" the Muslim community. "Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan issued directions to party MPs in the Lok Sabha, instructing them to vote in favour of the Bill in Parliament," the party said in a release. Janasena has two MPs in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP, a key BJP ally that helped the saffron brigade expand its presence in the region, has also vowed to support the BJP. The party issued a whip to its MPs on 1 April, directing them to be present in the Lok Sabha and support the government’s stand.

"This directive comes in light of the scheduled introduction of the Waqf Bill, which is expected to be a matter of significant discussion in the House. The party remains committed to ensuring that its stance on this important legislation is effectively represented," the TDP said in a statement.

ALSO READ: Optical Illusion Personality Test: What You Spot First Reveals Whether You're An Analytical Thinker Or A Free Spirit

However, the TDP is expected to raise concerns over the Bill allowing non-Muslim members in the state Waqf Boards, The Indian Express reported. "The party will unanimously demand that the representation of non-Muslims on the board be left to the discretion of the respective states," The Indian Express quoted a TDP insider as saying.

According to the news agency IANS, Muslim leaders told Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu that the proposed amendments would harm Waqf properties and hurt the sentiments of Muslims. The TDP chief assured Muslim leaders that the party would take an appropriate decision after further discussion.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024: BJP’s Bihar Allies To Support Bill If...

Meanwhile, Janata Dal (United), led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has announced that it will support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 only if concerns surrounding it are addressed. JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha stated that the amendments should not be retrospective and that the party would support the Bill only if its concerns were accommodated. "Our concern is that it (the Bill) should not be retrospective. Let the Bill come—if our concerns are accommodated, we will definitely support it," Jha said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

Union Minister and National President of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Chirag Paswan, on Wednesday extended unconditional support to the Bill, stating that the proposed amendments were introduced to bring transparency. "In reality, the amendments that have been made are positive and have been introduced with the aim of bringing transparency. We also gave suggestions, and most of them have been accepted, so we are supporting it," he said.

The Bill was first presented in the Lok Sabha in August last year, after which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under the leadership of Jagdambika Pal for further consideration. The Muslim community has been protesting against the proposed changes, particularly the amendment making the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the state Waqf Boards mandatory. This is one of the key amendments proposed by the government to the Waqf Act of 1995, which governs the management of properties donated by Muslims. Community leaders have argued that Waqf properties belong to Muslims and that such interference could be detrimental to their interests.