Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi Slams Government Over Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
New Delhi, April 2: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday accused the central government of using the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 as a political tool to dilute the Constitution, defame minorities, and divide Indian society. Speaking during the debate in the Lok Sabha, Gogoi challenged Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju’s claim that the UPA government had transferred 123 properties to the Delhi Waqf Board in 2014.
Gogoi demanded evidence for Rijiju’s allegations and accused him of misleading the House. “Whatever he spoke about the UPA government with reference to 2013 is a complete lie. We demand Rijiju authenticate his claims,” Gogoi asserted. He also criticized Speaker Om Birla for not intervening, stating, “He misled the House with political accusations.”
However, the Speaker rejected Gogoi’s complaint, saying, “I already gave the ruling of not allowing points of order during discussions, and it is final.”
Rijiju Responds to Gogoi’s Allegations
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju countered Gogoi’s allegations, challenging him to point out the exact misleading statement. “Do not make blanket accusations; refer to the specific point,” Rijiju remarked. The dispute stemmed from Rijiju’s earlier claim that the Congress government in 2013 allowed anyone to create a Waqf and transferred 123 prime properties to the Delhi Waqf Board on March 5, 2014, just before elections.
Concerns Over Minority Rights and New Provisions
Gogoi accused the BJP of being insensitive toward minorities and questioned the lack of minority representation in the ruling party. He also criticized the government’s decision-making process, pointing out that the Union Minority Affairs Ministry never discussed the need for a new Waqf law in its meetings.
The Congress MP also raised concerns over the “certificate of religion” requirement in the bill. “Will they ask for such certificates from other religious communities? Is it not against the Constitution?” he questioned.
Additionally, Gogoi accused the government of reviving colonial-era policies, recalling the Muslim community’s contribution to India’s independence struggle. “When you were not in favor of the Quit India movement, they supported it. When you were writing mercy petitions to the British, they were sacrificing their lives in Malta and Egypt,” he said, taking a direct dig at the ruling BJP.
Warning to TDP Over Section 107 Removal
In a warning to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), an NDA ally, Gogoi highlighted the removal of Section 107 of the Waqf Act, 1995, in the amendment bill. Drawing comparisons with Andhra Pradesh’s Limitation Act, 1963, he cautioned, “Provisions similar to Andhra Pradesh’s act are being removed. You will have to answer to the citizens of your state later.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, continues to be a contentious issue, with opposition parties strongly opposing the proposed changes, calling them anti-minority and unconstitutional.