Congress slams Waqf bill, calls it an assault on Indian constitution
New Delhi: The Congress has strongly criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, calling it an assault on the Indian constitution and accusing the BJP of attempting to damage the country’s social harmony.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a statement, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the bill is part of the BJP’s broader strategy to “demonise minority communities by spreading propaganda and creating prejudices”.
Ramesh described the bill as “deeply flawed” and said it undermines Constitutional provisions that guarantee equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion.
“The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is part of the BJP’s strategy and continuing attempts to damage the centuries-old bonds of social harmony in our uniquely multi-religious society,” he said.
It is part of the BJP’s strategy and continuing attempts to “defame traditions and institutions of minority communities to keep our society in a state of permanent polarization for electoral gains”, the Congress leader said.
Ramesh also criticized the process by which the bill was reviewed, noting that the 428-page report on the bill was rushed through the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) without thorough discussions, violating standard Parliamentary procedures.
His remarks came after the JPC submitted its report on the bill, with speculation that it could be introduced for passage during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament.
