New Delhi [India], April 3: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi on Thursday expressed her discontent over the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it “very sad” that a bill affecting minorities was approved.
She also criticized the limited discussion time allotted to the Manipur issue, describing it as a “burning issue” that required more attention.
“It is very sad that a bill against the minorities of this country was passed, and after that, it is such a burning issue… they took only half an hour to discuss Manipur,” Kanimozhi told ANI.
DMK’s Protest Against the Bill
Her remarks came as the Rajya Sabha prepared to discuss the Waqf Amendment Bill. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and other DMK MLAs protested against the bill by wearing black badges during the Assembly session on Thursday.
Stalin strongly opposed the bill, stating that it was passed in the Lok Sabha at 2 AM despite facing widespread opposition, which he termed an “attack on Indian democracy.”
Addressing the Tamil Nadu Assembly, CM Stalin said, “On March 27, we unanimously passed a resolution—except for the BJP—urging the withdrawal of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill. This bill is against the integrity of the Indian nation and the interests of minorities.”
He further pointed out that “Most political parties in India have opposed the bill. It is severely condemnable that this bill was passed despite strong opposition. 232 MPs voted against it, while 288 voted in favor. The fact that 232 opposed it is significant. The opposition numbers could have been even higher. This amendment should not only be opposed but also completely withdrawn. That is our stand, and we have passed a resolution to that effect in the assembly.”
The Passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill
The Lok Sabha extended its session beyond midnight to pass the bill. Speaker Om Birla later announced the result of the division, stating, “Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favor of the proposal.”
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating recommendations from the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year.
The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to address its shortcomings, improve the administration of waqf properties, enhance the registration process, and integrate technology for better management of waqf records.