"Very sad that bill against minorities was passed": DMK MP Kanimozhi after Lok Sabha clears Waqf Amendment Bill

New Delhi [India], April 3 (ANI): Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi on Thursday morning expressed disappointment over the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha, saying that it was "very sad" that a bill against minorities of the country was cleared.
She further objected to the time duration to discuss the Manipur issue, calling it a "burning issue."
"It is very sad that a bill against the minorities of this country was passed, and after that, it is such a burning issue...they took half an hour to discuss Manipur," Kanimozhi told ANI.
Her remarks come as the Rajya Sabha gears up to discuss the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, along with other DMK MLAs, wore black badges during the Assembly session on Thursday as a mark of protest against the Waqf Board Amendment Bill passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Stalin asserted that the bill, despite facing widespread opposition, was passed at 2 AM with the support of alliance parties, calling it an 'attack on Indian democracy.'
Addressing the Assembly, CM Stalin said, "On March 27, we have passed a resolution unanimously, except the BJP, in the Tamil Nadu assembly to take back the Waqf board amendment bill, which is against the integrity of the Indian nation and for minorities."
He further added, "Most political parties in India have opposed the bill. It is severely condemnable that this bill was passed in parliament despite much opposition. 232 parliament members voted against it, and 288 members voted in favour of it. It's not a normal thing that, despite its passing, 232 is the highest number. Numbers ( Against )would have increased. This amendment is not just to be opposed but should be fully taken back is our view. That's what we have passed a resolution in the assembly."
The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation. Speaker Om Birla later announced the result of the division. "Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal," he said.
The government brought the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation which was introduced in August last year. 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)