HYDERABAD: In a move widely criticised as pandering to Muslim appeasement politics, YSR Congress Party President and Andhra Pradesh former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has vowed to oppose the Waqf Bill. The bill aimed to bring transparency and accountability, has drawn opposition from Jagan despite concerns over its necessity for protecting Wakf properties.
At a meeting with Muslim minority leaders on Thursday, YS Jagan reiterated his commitment to the welfare of the Muslim community, emphasizing the YSRCP’s track record in addressing their issues. He assured that his party’s MPs would voice strong opposition to the Bill in Parliament, with MP Vijayasai Reddy leading the charge in the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
https://twitter.com/YSRCParty/status/1826570924566471135
Critics argue that Jagan’s stance is driven by political motives rather than a genuine concern for the integrity of Wakf properties. With reports indicating that over 70% of Wakf lands are already encroached upon, the new Bill was expected to curb these violations. However, Jagan’s opposition has raised eyebrows, with detractors accusing him of prioritizing vote-bank politics over the much-needed reforms in the Wakf system.
Vijayasai Reddy, YSRCP’s Parliamentary Party Leader and Rajya Sabha MP, echoed this stance in a tweet on X, stating, “In line with the decision of our party president Sri YS Jagan Garu and the party’s official stand, the Waqf Board amendment Bill was opposed by me in today’s meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) with a rationale. This bill has many concerns of various stakeholders and is not acceptable in its current form. As a member of JPC, I would like to hear from all the stakeholders and be your voice in the committee.”
https://twitter.com/VSReddy_MP/status/1826587614272455112
On August 8, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced a bill in the Parliament to amend the law governing Waqf boards. The Government asserted that mafia elements had captured the Waqf board and that the Bill will not interfere with the freedoms of any religious body.
The bill seeks to “effectively address issues” related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments. Apart from introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Kiren Rijiju also introduced the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which seeks to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923.
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