"Blatantly unconstitutional, undermines right to freedom of religion": Kharge on Waqf Amendment Bill

New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI): Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday alleged that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill undermines the right to freedom of Religion and is unconstitutional.
"The Modi Government's Waqf (Amendment) Bill is blatantly unconstitutional, undermining the Right to Freedom of Religion and attempting to bring personal laws under state control," Kharge said in a post on X.
"The BJP, which has long treated minorities as second-class citizens, is now targeting their properties through this Bill. The Congress party will oppose this divisive RSS/BJP agenda which is against the law the of the land," Kharge said.
Sources said Rajya Sabha is likely take up discussion on Waqf Amendment Bill around 1 pm and eight hours have been allocated.
The sources said Congress will get approximately 45 minutes during the discussion and Nasir Hussain will be the first speaker from the party. He was also a member of the JPC.
Party MPs Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Imran Pratapgarhi are also likely to speak.
Meanwhile, Congress leader KC Venugopal on alleged that the Waqf Amendment Bill "is a dangerous, divisive law which runs against the tenets of our Constitution"
Participating in the debate on Waqf (Amendment Bill), 2025 in Lok Sabha, he accused the BJP of resorting to divisive politics.
"I expected so many legislations to come during this period. For last several years, farmers have been on the street, they are demanding legal guarantees for MSP. But the Bill is not coming. Youngsters of this country are unemployed and in despair. So, the country expected legislation for drastic change for the youth of the country. But it didn't come...You can see the legislation that has been given priority by this government. This is to have only one agenda - to divide Bharat Mata in the name of religion," Venugopal said.
In a post on X, Venugopal said Congress rejects the bill and will always fight to protect the Constitution.
"The Government is bringing this today as if all other pressing issues of our country have been solved. Is there no unemployment anymore? Are farmers happy? Are women safe? Why is this the BJP's focus? This Bill is yet another example of the BJP's visceral hatred towards minorities - they want to control their lives and suppress their rights, bringing non-Muslims to control Waqf properties. This is just the beginning, they will come after every minority religion going forward. We vehemently reject this Bill and will always fight to protect the Constitution and every citizen's fundamental rights," he said..
Along with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also moved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha. The bill was earlier presented in the Lok Sabha in August last year and a Joint Parliamentary Committee, headed by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, examined it.
The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995. The Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)