The debate over the Waqf Amendment Bill has intensified as it awaits the President’s approval after passing both houses of Parliament. The opposition, led by the Samajwadi Party (SP), has raised concerns about the bill’s constitutional validity and its potential impact on Muslim welfare. Dharmendra Yadav, a spokesperson for the Samajwadi Party, expressed concerns about the constitutional principles underlying the bill. He accused the ruling BJP of undermining these principles, especially pointing to Article 13, Section 3, which he claims has been violated. He argued that the bill seeks to allow the government to confiscate Waqf land through legal means, undermining the rights of individuals. Yadav also questioned why non-Muslims are being included in Waqf committees, with provisions allowing for "at least two non-Muslims" to be part of the committees. This, he believes, sets a double standard, as no similar rule exists for other religious institutions. The government, however, has defended the bill, stating that it is a necessary amendment to update an outdated law, which has passed through constitutional channels. They argue that the bill ensures better governance and accountability in Waqf properties, without undermining any community. The debate continues, with both sides strongly asserting their positions.
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00:00Let us once again focus on the topic that we are discussing.
00:04The time has come for Waqf.
00:06The bill has been passed by both the parties.
00:07We are waiting for the President's award and then the law will take this bill.
00:11But even now, we are discussing the issues being raised by the opposition.
00:16Let us focus on Dharmendra Yadav, the spokesman for the Socialist Party.
00:18And let us understand from him.
00:20Mr. Dharmendra, I am not able to understand where is the problem with the opposition?
00:23Is the opposition having a problem with the bill?
00:25Or is it that the Modi government cannot do good for the Muslims by passing this bill?
00:30You all are shocked and worried about this.
00:33Romana ji, the problem is in eliminating the constitutional values.
00:36The way the BJP has brought this bill by eliminating the constitutional values.
00:42Let me tell you the crux of the matter.
00:44Article 13, Section 3, contains the law of Waqf.
00:51By eliminating the constitutional values, the BJP has violated Article 13, Section 3.
00:59This is an unconstitutional act and we need to talk about this.
01:02Secondly, the BJP's main aim is to seize the land of Waqf through this law.
01:08The BJP has brought three black laws for the farmers.
01:12I don't think that the PM has the commitment to give you land at a low price.
01:17On their radar, there is the land of the railways, the farmers and the defence industry.
01:22After that, the third biggest property is the land of Waqf.
01:25That is why, by eliminating Article 107 of Waqf, the BJP has violated Article 13, Section 3.
01:31If there is a dispute for more than 12 years, then the BJP wants to seize the land of Waqf through this bill.
01:38This means that the BJP is trying to find a legal way to seize the land of Waqf.
01:43And this has been incorporated in this bill.
01:45This is my second objection.
01:47The third objection is that if only Muslims can be Waqf-doers,
01:52then there will be two non-Muslims in the Waqf committee.
01:55And in that too, one word has been used, at least two non-Muslims.
02:00At least means that there can be more than that.
02:03So, according to that bill, all the members can be non-Muslims.
02:06So, you tell me, will a Muslim be Waqf-doers?
02:09Will there be non-Muslims in the committee?
02:11So, why doesn't this rule apply in other religious institutions?
02:15You have raised a lot of points.
02:18You have raised a lot of points.
02:19By the way, all these questions that you are raising are being answered by the government.
02:23They are also telling how the Waqf, the board,
02:26which will look at all the religious programs, the activities of Muslims,
02:31in that, a non-Muslim has been included.
02:33This is also being answered.
02:34But still, the point you have raised, I will go to the audience before Subuhi.
02:38They have said that through this bill,
02:41the BJP is ready to take away the land of the Waqf of Muslims.
02:46Can the land be taken away from this bill?
02:48Yes, yes.
02:49Ms. Romana, as an officer of the court, I am unable to understand
02:54that an act that is passed by any parliament in any country,
02:58even in our country, the Waqf Act,
03:00how many times has it been amended?
03:03It is not that it is being amended for the first time.
03:05It is not a matter of BJP Congress or Hindu-Muslims.
03:08It is a matter of a central act,
03:10in which changes are needed with time.
03:13In that, an amendment is being made through a legal process.
03:16After being passed in both the houses,
03:18after the President's seal is applied,
03:21that law is being amended.
03:22So, how did it become unconstitutional?
03:24It was never unconstitutional in the first amendment.
03:27How did it happen today, I don't understand.
03:29Now, my brother has said that
03:31why is the intention of taking Hindu members in the members?
03:35When a Hindu devotes his property,
03:38then in charity, you take that property from a Hindu.
03:41Although, there is a Charitable Endowment Act in India.
03:44If a Hindu donates his property for charitable purpose,
03:48then he should be included in that act.
03:49But, you are ready to take a Hindu's property,
03:52and seal it with the Waqf,
03:54and include it in the Waqf Act.
03:56But, that Hindu is not ready to become a member of the Waqf Board.
04:00So, what is this duality?
04:02So, you have to be a practicing Muslim for 5 years,
04:05only then you can donate your Waqf.
04:07Actually, Ms. Romana, this was necessary.
04:09This was necessary because, as I told you...
04:11The argument that you were giving was null and void here.
04:14No, no, no, I was giving the argument to her,
04:16that to take Hindu members,
04:18she had a problem that it is the Waqf of Muslims.
04:21So, why is a Hindu member being taken?
04:23My argument on that is,
04:24that if you could have taken a Hindu's property as a Waqf,
04:28then why were you refusing to take a Hindu as a member in the Waqf Board?
04:32Please wait a minute.
04:32There are a lot of guests,
04:33everyone will move forward one by one.
04:35If you want to answer this,
04:36then I am ready to wait.
04:38You cannot take a Hindu's property as a Waqf.
04:39Okay, Mr. Subbu, please.
04:40Now, you have said what you had to say.
04:42Because if everyone says something in between,
04:43then there will be no discussion.
04:44The audience will not be able to understand anything.
04:45So, please,
04:46whatever I am saying,
04:47please keep it to yourself.
04:47Mr. Fazil, please.
04:48First of all, the government has raised the issue of corruption.
04:51So, corruption is not only in the Constitution,
04:53Legislation, Blocks, Education,
04:55where else is there corruption?
04:56The effect of the same corruption is also on time.
04:58When there is corruption all over the country,
05:00if you see corruption in the ministries,
05:02how many ministers have gone to jail.
05:04So, the way corruption is devouring our country,
05:06its effect is also on time.
05:07So, it means that there should not be any clarification?
05:09No, it should be done.
05:09Because you are doing corruption in other places,
05:11so why are you doing it on time?
05:13Corruption is on time.
05:14Corruption is always done from above.
05:16The Parliament and the MLA who are making the bill today,
05:18they are taking a 40% commission.
05:20Start clarifying on this from here.
05:22Sir, this is not how you make a bill on television.
05:25This is a 40% commission.
05:26Absolutely, we can give evidence.
05:26Sir, please go.
05:27Why have you come here to sit?
05:30Go to the court.
05:31All the petitions have already been filed in the Supreme Court
05:33and there are lakhs of investigations going on all over the country.
05:36It is not that I am talking nonsense.
05:38There is an investigation going on.
05:39People are...
05:41Sir, the issue we are discussing here is going to become a law.
05:44It is one step away.
05:46I want to know from you.
05:47Don't feel bad, sir.
05:48You were not able to answer the question.
05:49Now, I will give another answer.
05:50You were not able to answer the question.
05:51Subuhi asked a specific question here.
05:53You were not able to answer it.
05:55In 2014, when the government was formed by the Bharatiya Janata Party,
05:58the Muslims of the country did not expect
06:00that we would be enforced by such a law
06:02which was not made in the country.
06:04We would not be allowed to offer prayers on the streets.
06:05Has any law been passed in the country?
06:07Has any parliament or parliament passed a law
06:10that you cannot offer prayers on the streets?
06:12When there is a law, it is for everyone.
06:14And if there is no law, it is not for everyone.
06:15If you are stopping us,
06:17then first tell us under which law are you stopping us?
06:19First, you will have to bring a bill to the state government
06:22and to the parliament.
06:24You have not passed a law that is enforcing it on us.
06:27So, how can we trust the government?
06:29Mr. Prime Minister,
06:30under which law can you offer prayers on the streets of the country?
06:34Tomorrow, the Hindus will say that we can fight.
06:36No, no, tomorrow the Hindus will say that we can fight.
06:39How many fights can you see on the streets of the country?
06:42How many Christmas festivals can you see on the streets of the country?
06:47No, no, you can go and see how many fights there are on the streets of the country.
06:50You can go and see all over the country.
06:52There can be fights.
06:54There can be pilgrimages.
06:56There can be worship.
06:57But you can't offer prayers on the streets.
06:59If you are only stopping the Muslims,
07:02then first bring a bill to the parliament.
07:04Or make a law in the parliament.
07:05Mr. Fazil, I am able to understand what you are saying.
07:08First make a law.
07:09I am able to understand what you are saying.
07:11Mr. Shamoon, I am coming to you.
07:13He has absolutely no words to say.
07:15I mean, his entire target is
07:18that he is suffering because of the Modi government.
07:21He is saying, look at what atrocities are happening in the Modi government and the Modi kingdom.
07:24Because of this, he is not able to trust the intentions of the Modi government.