Subhechcha Ganguly 
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set for a heated debate in Parliament, with the BJP securing backing from key allies while the Opposition’s INDIA bloc prepares to challenge it.
The bill will be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, followed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed that an eight-hour debate was agreed upon by the Lok Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee, chaired by Speaker Om Birla.
Despite the Opposition’s claims that the bill threatens minority rights, allies like JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), and TDP have confirmed their support, stating that the legislation does not encroach upon Muslim rights.
JD(U) leaders assured minority groups that their concerns would be relayed to the government. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena and LJP (RV) have issued a three-line whip to their MPs, directing them to support the bill in the Lok Sabha on April 2 and 3.
With strong backing from its allies, the BJP appears to have the numbers to pass the bill, setting the stage for a major political clash in Parliament.
