New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) The Janta Dal (United) on Wednesday extended its support to the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 and alleged that opposition is trying to create a narrative that this is against the Muslims.
Speaking in LoK Sabha on the Bill, JDU MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh claimed the opposition is disturbing the environment in the country..., saying that people who are against the legislation are either trying to woo their vote bank or are fearing they might lose the land they own through Waqf.
Questioning the provisions of the Waqf Act 1995, he said the Act allowed the Muslim body to claim any land.
"What type of law was that which allowed Waqf to lay their hands on any land and own it?" he asked.
"This Bill is not against the Muslims. Waqf is a kind of trust, which is made to work for Muslims. This trust should have the right to do justice to every person, whether man, woman, rich or poor," Lalan Singh said.
"If you don't like PM Modi's face, don't see his face. But at least praise him for his good deeds. In 2013, the sin you committed has been ended today by PM Modi, who has worked to bring transparency," he added.
Earlier, the Lok Sabha session kicked off on a stormy note on Wednesday as Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The Bill was introduced in Parliament last year amid uproar by the Opposition and was subsequently sent to a Joint Committee of Parliament, headed by BJP MP Jagadambika Pal, for scrutiny.
On February 13, the House panel submitted its report, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on February 19.
However, Opposition MPs in the panel raised concerns over their proposed amendments being rejected and claimed their dissent notes had been redacted from the report without their knowledge. The panel accepted 14 changes suggested by NDA MPs and is learnt to have rejected all 44 changes proposed by the Opposition members.
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