"We are not targeting anyone," says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi as INDIA bloc questions government on Waqf amendment

New Delhi [India], August 8: Launching a sharp attack on opposition parties for opposing the Bill to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday said that the opposition wants to mislead certain community members and tarnish India's image.

"We are not targeting anyone. They (the opposition) only want to create an atmosphere. Our minister will explain in detail when he introduces the bill. They want to mislead some people in the community. They are trying to tarnish the image of India. We are one of the best democracies in the world," said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.

Meanwhile, RJD MP Misa Bharti stated that the INDIA alliance parties and RJD will oppose this bill. She added, "The government is not addressing issues of unemployment, inflation..."

Calling the government's motives "sinister," Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, "As I've said, the motives of the government are always sinister. We will oppose this bill, and there has been no wider consultation with stakeholders. We think it should be referred to the Standing Committee before being passed in the House."

Showing opposition to the Waqf amendment, TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay said, "This amendment bill should come through the Standing Committee. We (the opposition) will oppose this bill unitedly."

Notably, apart from introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Kiren Rijiju will also introduce The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which seeks to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995. It seeks to clearly define "waqf" as waqf by any person practicing Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property, ensuring that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women.