BJD to oppose Waqf Bill in Parliament

BHUBANESWAR: The BJD on Sunday announced its MPs in the Rajya Sabha would strongly oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill which is listed for consideration and passage by the Parliament during the winter session starting on Monday. The regional outfit, which has no representation in Lok Sabha, demanded the contentious Bill be withdrawn.

The party’s minority cell led by its president and Rajya Sabha MP Muzibulla (Munna) Khan held a demonstration in front of the Raj Bhawan and submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the sub-collector of Bhubaneswar seeking withdrawal of the bill.

The party alleged that the proposed amendments in the Waqf Act, 1995, will disturb the harmony between different communities in the country. The proposed changes in the Waqf Act will have far reaching implications on the autonomy, protection, and governance of Waqf properties which are considered as sacred and integral to the religious and social welfare of the Muslim community, Khan said.