NEW DELHI: Union Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju accused the opposition of misleading the people over the Waqf Amendment Bill and said that this is not good for the country.
“There are some groups, especially people from political parties are trying to mislead people over the Waqf Amendment Bill. I want to clearly say to them not to lie and read the Bill properly. India is a democratic country, everybody has the right to speak, but there should not be attempt to mislead people by talking wrong. Waqf Bill will be coming up, we are identifying those groups. This is not good for our country,” Kiren Rijiju said on Monday.
The Waqf Amendment bill has triggered controversy, some groups alleging it is unconstitutional, while the Centre defends it as a necessary measure to ensure openness and safeguard Waqf assets from improper utilisation.
Rijiju said claimed that the innocent Muslims are being told and misled by saying that the government is going to snatch their properties and rights.
“The false things being spread by some people are very harmful for our society and nation. I would like to request everyone to please identify those leaders who are lying. These are the people who misguided the country during CAA… I am very proud to say that minorities are the safest in India and minorities enjoy the best rights of freedom in India..” he added.
He also urged all political parties to actively participate in the debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, asserting that the legislative process has undergone the most comprehensive consultations in India’s democratic history.
“My appeal to all is that as we prepare to introduce the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament, we must participate in the debate and discussion in the House. Outside Parliament, there have been a record number of consultations and deliberations. The JPC has gone on record for the most comprehensive consultation process and the highest representation ever in the history of democratic India… Now that the Bill is ready, I would like to request all political parties to participate in it and put their views on the floor of Parliament. Please do not mislead…” he said.
Earlier today, minister Rahim Khan, along with other people spotted wearing black armbands to express their protest against the Centre’s move.
In Bidar, Minister Khan, who holds sports and youth empowerment portfolio, reached mosque with his followers wearing black armband and offered prayers at the Eidgah Maidan.
His supporters performed prayers and lodged their protest peacefully against Waqf law amendment.
The Mandya Urban Development Authority president Naheem performed prayers in Mandya wearing the black armband. All his supporters too followed him.
Speaking to reporters, he said he did it as a silent protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill.
In Belagavi, Social Democratic Party of India cadres participated in the prayers wearing black armband to show protest against the bill.
