BJP MP Jagdambika Pal Criticizes Karnataka Assembly’s Rejection of Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

  • March 20, 2025, 3:21 p.m.

BJP Member of Parliament Jagdambika Pal, who also serves as the Chairman of the Waqf Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), has condemned the Karnataka Assembly’s rejection of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, calling the decision “against the democratic spirit” and a “violation of rights guaranteed by the Constitution.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was designed to strengthen the management of Waqf properties, ensuring greater transparency and preventing misuse. However, the bill was met with resistance in the Karnataka Assembly, where the Congress-led state government rejected it, leading to sharp criticism from the opposition.

Jagdambika Pal voiced his concern over the move, stating, "This is against the democratic spirit. It is a violation of rights given by the Constitution." He emphasized the constitutional provision that allows both the Centre and state assemblies to create laws within their respective jurisdictions, adding that the Karnataka government's rejection of the bill undermines this principle.

The BJP MP further accused the Karnataka Congress government of undermining democracy and the Constitution. He stated, "The Karnataka Congress government doesn't believe in democracy or the constitution, and only to save their identity, they are playing appeasement politics." Pal’s remarks reflect the broader criticism of the Congress party, especially from the BJP, regarding their political approach to religious and social issues.

The controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has led to heated debates about religious properties and their management. Supporters of the bill argue that it would prevent the mismanagement of Waqf properties, which are intended for religious and charitable purposes, while critics view the bill as an attempt to centralize control over religious institutions, raising concerns about the potential for misuse.

As the political standoff continues, Pal has vowed that the BJP will continue to raise the issue and demand accountability from the Karnataka government. The rejection of the bill has sparked a larger discussion about the role of state governments in managing religious affairs and the political dynamics surrounding religious identity in Indian politics.

The BJP has also used this opportunity to accuse the Congress of appeasing specific communities for electoral gains, a charge that the Congress party has consistently denied. As tensions rise, the rejection of the Waqf Bill has added fuel to the ongoing debate about governance, religious politics, and the federal structure of India.

Author : Rajdhani Delhi Representative

Rajdhani delhi representative

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