The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has issued a three-line whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs for April 2. This comes as the Union Government plans to table the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Previously, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress also issued whips to their MPs, directing them to attend the session on April 2.
A TDP press release stated, "The TDP has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs, directing them to be present in the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2025. This is in light of the scheduled introduction of the Waqf Bill, which is expected to be a major topic of discussion. The party is committed to ensuring its stance on this important legislation is effectively represented."
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government will present the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, confirmed the bill would be tabled after the Question Hour for discussion and passing. An 8-hour debate will follow, Rijiju added.
Rijiju had earlier briefed BJP spokespersons about the Waqf Amendment Bill. During the meeting, he explained the bill’s potential benefits for the Muslim community. He assured that the bill would not interfere with religious institutions' freedom but would give rights to those previously lacking them. The bill aims to improve Waqf management, increasing transparency and digitisation.
The opposition has strongly criticised the bill, calling it "unconstitutional." They accuse the BJP of attempting to "snatch" the rights of Muslims.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi described the bill as unconstitutional and a "grave violation" of Articles 14, 25, 26, and 29 of the Indian Constitution. He called it the "Waqf Barbaad Bill" rather than a reform.
Owaisi also questioned NDA allies like Nitish Kumar, Chandrababu Naidu, Chirag Paswan, and Jayant Chaudhary about their support for the bill.
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