Govt using Waqf Bill to dilute constitution, defame minorities, says Gaurav Gogoi

Congress' deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, on Wednesday accused the government of using the Waqf (Amendment) bill to dilute the Constitution and defame minority communities.

"The government is using the bill as a tool to dilute the Constitution, defame the minority communities, divide the Indian society and disenfranchise the minorities," he said, opening the Lok Sabha debate from the opposition side. "The government has now set its eyes on a particular minority community, tomorrow it will set its eye on the other properties of other communities."

Gogoi also challenged minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju's claim that the UPA government had transferred 123 properties to the Delhi Waqf Board before the 2014 Lok Sabha general elections. "Whatever he spoke about the UPA government with reference to 2013 (amending waqf bill) is a complete lie. We demand Rijiju to authenticate his claims. He levelled accusations and misled repeatedly," he said.


The Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha said the government had brought the bill suddenly, claiming that the proposed legislation did not figure in at least five meetings the minority affairs ministry had held in different parts of the country. In a subtle reference to the resentment of the Christians about the waqf land row in Kerala, he said all laws have scope for improvement. He also took objection to the provision in the bill that allows only those who have practiced Islam for a minimum of five years to donate the property to waqf. "Will they ask for such a certificate of religion from other religious communities? Is it not against the Constitution?" he asked.

Gogoi said that the government was showing lack of sensitivity towards the Muslim community, lamenting that many in the community were stopped from offering namaz on Eid. He asked why BJP didn't have enough Muslim MPs and said this was a community that participated in the freedom movement, including Quit India movement, and stood by India against Jinnah's two-nation-theory.