"Well-planned strategy": BJP MP Jagdambika Pal on AIMPLB's protest against Waqf Bill

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 23 (ANI): BJP MP and Waqf JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal on Sunday responded to the AIMPLB's announcement to hold a protest on March 26 against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Pal criticized the planned protest, calling it a part of a larger political strategy aimed at misguiding the public and spreading communalism.
Speaking to ANI Pal said, "This is a well-planned strategy, when the Waqf was handed over to the JPC by the Speaker, for six months, we called all the stakeholders and took everyone's views. The law is pending in the Parliament. The amendment bill that is coming will address all the issues, it is going to be a transparent bill."
Pal further explained that the bill is designed to ensure fairness and address past discrepancies. "It will benefit women and children. Until now, only the people associated with the Waqf properties benefitted," he said.
Referring to the planned protests by the AIMPLB, Pal criticized the opposition for politicizing the matter. "The protests are only to misguide the nation and spread communalism. The Opposition is doing a politics of appeasement. No one is talking on the basis of merit," he stated.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday assured that the Waqf Amendment Bill aims to enhance transparency and benefit marginalized communities, including women and the poor. Addressing concerns over the bill, he emphasized that it is not intended to seize Muslim properties but to establish a more systematic approach.
Speaking to the media, Rijiju stated that all Muslim organizations have been consulted and reiterated that India, as a democratic nation, functions under the Constitution.
"After the Waqf Amendment Bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha, we will take it to the Rajya Sabha. We will explain it in detail. We have met all the Muslim organizations and they also know that the Waqf Amendment Bill is not to usurp Muslim properties. This will increase transparency; it will help the poor and women. This is for a system. How can anyone snatch someone's land? India is a democratic country. This country runs by the Constitution," the Union Minister said. (ANI)