India's Waqf Bill Faces Intense Opposition Over Minority Rights Concerns

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, criticized by Congress as unconstitutional, is set for parliamentary consideration during the Budget Session.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 proposes changes to waqf property management, including abolishing the 'waqf-by-user' concept and increasing state officials' powers.
Congress claims the bill undermines constitutional protections, weakens minority institutions, and threatens India's social harmony.
The Parliamentary Committee approved the bill's amendments by majority vote, rejecting opposition-proposed changes and prompting dissent from Congress.
The opposition alleges rushed parliamentary procedures, citing inadequate clause-by-clause discussion during the committee's review process.
The government defends the bill as a modernization effort aimed at improving waqf administration and addressing ambiguities in existing laws.