Congress criticizes Waqf amendments as unconstitutional

The Congress party has criticized recent amendments to the Waqf law, calling them an "assault" on India's Constitution. Jairam Ramesh, the party's communications head, described the legislation as "deeply flawed" and accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to create divisions within communities. Ramesh claimed that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 undermines social harmony in India's diverse society. He argued that it diminishes the authority of institutions meant to manage waqfs, which are Muslim religious endowments primarily for charity and community welfare. According to him, the amendments introduce vague language about land donations for waqf and threaten the established concept of "waqf-by-user." He pointed out that the new law gives significant powers to state officials over disputes involving waqf properties. Officers can now derecognize a waqf based on complaints or allegations, potentially endangering these religious assets. The comments from Congress follow a report submitted by a Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing the bill. The JPC approved amendments supported by the BJP while dismissing those from opposition members. Ramesh criticized the report as lacking proper discussion, claiming it violated parliamentary practices. One specific amendment proposed by a BJP member aims to protect existing waqf properties through the "waqf-by-user" provision, ensuring that properties historically used for religious purposes retain their status despite changes in the law. The government argues that the bill is intended to modernize waqf regulations, while the opposition sees it as an infringement on religious rights.