Congress General Secretary (Organisation) and Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal strongly criticised The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, labelling it as blatantly unconstitutional and an attack on the fundamental rights of Indian citizens. During a heated debate in the Lok Sabha, Venugopal expressed deep concerns about the implications of the bill, which he argued is designed to polarise communities and undermine the federal structure of India.
Venugopal contended that the bill represents a direct assault on the right to practice and profess one’s religion, a fundamental tenet of the Indian Constitution. He pointed out that Waqf matters, traditionally managed by state governments, are now being usurped by the Centre, a move he believes threatens the federal structure of the nation.
A particularly contentious provision of the bill allows for non-Muslims to become members of the Waqf Board’s governing council, a proposal Venugopal vehemently opposed. He questioned whether a non-Hindu would ever be considered for a position on the governing bodies of Hindu religious institutions like the Ayodhya Ram Mandir or the Guruvayur Devaswom Board. He emphasized that this provision is “a direct attack on the faith and freedom of religion in this country.”
Venugopal warned that this bill sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that today the target is Muslims, but tomorrow it could be Christians, Jains, or Parsis. “The essence of being Hindu,” he argued, “is respecting other religions. This bill contradicts that very principle and could lead to further divisions in society.”
He also criticised the removal of the ‘Waqf by use’ clause, predicting that it would lead to disputes over mosques with no land deal records. Venugopal alleged that the bill is politically motivated, aimed at garnering votes in upcoming elections in Haryana and Maharashtra. He asserted, “This divide-and-rule politics will not be accepted by the people.”
Venugopal demanded the immediate withdrawal of the bill, stating that it has no place in a secular democracy. He declared, “This bill cannot be passed, and it should not even be introduced in this House.”
