‘Not Against Muslims’: NDA's Youngest MP Endorses Waqf Bill, Affirms LJP’s Support To BJP | Exclusive
Shambhavi Choudhary noted that the amended bill enhances transparency and accountability by allowing law enforcement decisions on Waqf-related matters to be challenged in court.
Waqf Bill: Shambhavi Choudhary, the youngest MP of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), reaffirmed her party LJP’s (Ram Vilas) unwavering support for the amended Waqf Bill, set to be introduced in Parliament tomorrow for passage.
Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, the 26-year-old MP said that her party’s concerns were addressed during the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) review of the Waqf Bill.
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She noted that several key amendments, particularly those advocating for women’s inclusion in Waqf boards, were incorporated based on LJP (Ram Vilas)’s recommendations.
“We are fully in support of the amended Waqf Bill. We raised our voices in the JPC, and many of the amendments made to the bill were based on references by the LJP, especially regarding women’s representation on Waqf boards," she said.
The amended Waqf Bill, which was referred to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) in August 2024, is set to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Sources said that lawmakers will debate the bill for a total of eight hours, with 4.40 hours allocated to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and 3.20 hours to the opposition.
Choudhary noted that the amended bill enhances transparency and accountability by allowing law enforcement decisions on Waqf-related matters, including land disputes and administrative rulings, to be challenged in court.
“The most important point is that if the collector makes any decision, it can be challenged in court, and this provision has been accepted in the bill for transparency and accountability," the lawmaker told CNN-News18.
The Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, comprised around 30 members, including LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti.
“We are in support, and our concerns have been addressed. Our leader Chirag Paswan has clarified that no provisions in the bill are against Muslims; in fact, it will strengthen them," she added, showing optimism regarding the bill’s passage in the Parliament.
Earlier, Paswan spoke about the Waqf Amendment Bill and stated that his party had made it clear that the bill must go to the Joint Parliamentary Committee from the first day and every stakeholder related to the committee presented their views.
He stated that LJP supports the report of the JPC committee.
“We had made it clear from the beginning that this bill should at least go to the committee. I am happy with the way it was sent to the JPC. We wanted that every stakeholder associated with it should get a chance to present his views. Every stakeholder associated with the Waqf presented his views before that committee. We had made it clear from the beginning that the day the report of this committee comes, LJP will support it", Paswan said.
Sources told CNN-News18 that Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will move a motion to introduce the bill with the revised amendments in Lok Sabha on April 2. Following the debate, Rijiju will respond to the discussion and seek the House’s approval for the bill’s passage.
While the opposition has decided to unanimously oppose the bill, BJP allies, including Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (U), and LJP (Ram Vilas), among others, have expressed their strong support for the government, backing the passage of the Waqf Bill.
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