Waqf Amendment Bill leads to stormy session in Lok Sabha with showdown between Centre, Oppn; Key highlights here

Waqf Amendment Bill by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju led to a showdown between the NDA and the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to improve the administration of Waqf properties, introduce technology-driven management, address complexities and ensure transparency.

Introducing the bill, Rijiju said the consultation process of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was the largest ever exercise carried out by a parliamentary panel in India's democratic history.

Here are key highlights of the debate on Waqf bill:

Opposition launches attack

Even before the controversial bill could be tabled, the Congress started its protests against the bill. The debate on the bill began with Congress leader KC Venugopal, who opposed the bill, saying that the Centre was «bulldozing the legislation».

«This type of bill (Waqf Amendment Bill) that you are bringing into the House, at least the members has to have the power to give amendments...You are bulldozing the legislation. This is this type of legislation. You need to give time for amendment. There are several provisions to be given amendment. There is no time at all..,» he said.

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Amit Shah intervenes

To this, Union minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah dismissed the opposition to the bill, saying, "...It was your (opposition) insistence that a Joint Parliamentary Committee should be formed. We do not have a committee like the Congress. We have a democratic committee, which brainstorms," he said.

"'Congress ke zamane mein committee hoti thi jo thappa lagati thi'. Our committee discusses, deliberates on the basis of discussions and makes changes. If the changes are not to be accepted, then what is the point of the committee?" he said.

Om Birla assures MPs

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