West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the BJP of introducing the Waqf Bill to “divide the country” and vowed to bring an amendment to nullify it once a “new government is formed after ousting the current regime”.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill early on Thursday following a 12-hour debate.
“When a new government is formed after ousting the current regime, we will bring a new amendment to nullify this Waqf Bill brought by the BJP,” Banerjee told news agency PTI. “The BJP brought this Waqf Bill to divide the country,” she alleged.
In a statement, Banerjee condemned the BJP for its “divisive agenda”, accusing the party of playing ‘divide and rule’ politics.
“My MPs are in Delhi to speak on the Waqf issue. The ‘jumla party’ has only one agenda — to divide the country. They believe in ‘divide and rule’,” she further alleged.
Meanwhile, the ruling NDA strongly defended the Bill, claiming it would benefit minorities, while the opposition parties condemned it, as “anti-Muslim”.
Crores Of Poor Muslims Will Thank PM Modi: Kiren Rijiju
Following an extensive debate, the Bill was passed with 288 votes in favour and 232 against. All amendments suggested by opposition members were rejected through voice votes. The Bill has now been presented in the Rajya Sabha after being passed in the Lok Sabha.
As per the news agency PTI, eight hours have been given for the same.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju lashed out at the opposition during the debate, replying against criticism that after the bill is passed, the poor in the Muslim community are going to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Crores of poor Muslims will thank PM Modi on the bill being passed,” he said.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating suggestions from the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which reviewed the legislation first introduced in August last year. Additionally, the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, was also passed in the Lok Sabha. The discussion in the House continued for nearly 12 hours.
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