The central government is set to present the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha today, April 2, with Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju leading the discussion. The bill, which proposes nearly 40 changes to the existing Waqf Act, aims to enhance efficiency, empower communities, and bring structural reforms. A significant amendment under consideration is the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Board, alongside increased government oversight. Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc have united against the bill, calling it unconstitutional and detrimental to the Muslim community’s interests. They have announced strong opposition but ruled out a walkout. The bill, initially introduced last year, was sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for review. The debate over the bill is expected to be intense, with opposition leaders contesting the government’s stance. The discussion and potential approval will serve as a display of the NDA’s parliamentary strength under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
