New Delhi, Mar 7: On Friday, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that his party intends to utilize “all democratic channels” to challenge the Waqf (Amendment) Bill when it is presented in Parliament. He emphasized that the INDIA bloc stands united in opposing the “content, intent, and scope” of the proposed legislation.
Ahead of the second phase of the Budget session, Ramesh indicated that there will be thorough discussions among INDIA alliance parties to collectively resist the bill, with opposition leaders in both Houses expected to coordinate efforts shortly.
In a PTI interview, Ramesh noted that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is likely to arise in the latter part of the Budget session and affirmed, “There is absolutely no doubt” that Congress, along with several other political parties, will express opposition to it.
“I believe the entire political spectrum within the INDIA bloc is against the content, intent, and extent of the bill. The way in which it was rushed through showed a disregard for the joint committee process of Parliament,” he alleged.
He described the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as controversial and asserted that it will be opposed vigorously by Congress. Ramesh further criticized the handling of the parliamentary joint committee, calling it “undemocratic” due to selective witness testimony and the lack of a clause-by-clause discussion—an unprecedented occurrence in parliamentary history.
Ramesh also referenced his experience as a member of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on a data protection bill chaired by a BJP member, which did involve thorough discussion of each clause.
In the coming days, Ramesh mentioned that Congress is in communication with other INDIA bloc parties. Leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, will engage with all opposition figures to discuss the issue.
“All opposition parties are united on this matter. Even TDP and JD(U) members privately express their discomfort with the bill; however, they seem compelled to support it due to pressure from the BJP,” he claimed.
While uncertain about the actions of JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar and TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu, Ramesh suggested that their true positions would eventually surface. He further stated, “It’s uncertain when they will bring the bill up for discussion, but we will pursue every democratic avenue to oppose it.”
Discussing the upcoming second half of the Budget session, Ramesh said there will be discussions on various ministries regarding grant demands. “In both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, at least five ministries will be addressed. We’ve submitted our list, which includes home, education, social justice, railways, and health,” he noted.
Following that, there will be debates on the finance and appropriation bills, according to Ramesh.
The 31-member committee tasked with reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has proposed several amendments following multiple sessions, though opposition members have disagreed with the findings and submitted their dissent notes. The committee’s 655-page report was submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. The report was approved by the committee by a majority vote of 15-11, based on amendments suggested by ruling BJP members, leading opposition parties to label it an attempt to undermine Waqf boards.
The Bill was referred to the parliamentary committee on August 8, after its introduction in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Addressing differences among INDIA bloc parties in assembly elections following the Lok Sabha elections, Ramesh stated that it was not “unnatural” since the INDIA alliance was specifically formed for the Lok Sabha contests rather than state assembly elections.
“We anticipated some conflict; in fights against local parties like the Left in Kerala and TMC in West Bengal, we knew these differences would arise. However, we established state-level alliances, such as with the DMK in Tamil Nadu and RJD in Bihar,” he explained.
He asserted that the INDIA bloc would closely coordinate during the second half of the Budget session.
The first half of the session occurred from January 31 to February 13, and the second half is set to commence on Monday, concluding on April 4. (PTI)
