New Delhi: Since the last meeting of the (Joint) Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was scheduled to occur, Member of Parliament (MP), BJP, Nishikant Dubey, issued a strong assertion against Sadananda Gowda (UBT), the chairman of the Shiv Sena (UBT). Dubey asserted that Thackeray’s faction would be the biggest loser from the entire JPC process, accusing them of working against national interests while previously championing Hindutva politics.
Dubey’s Accusations Against Uddhav Thackeray
Talking to The Indian Express, Dubey castigated Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) for having contradicted its earlier Hindutva agenda with respect to its stand on the Waqf Bill, stated the paper. He reported that the conduct of the regional party during the JPC deliberations had bankrupted its reputation.
The biggest loser following all of this will be Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. They worked against the country’s interests on this Bill while they have done the politics of Hindutva in the past,” Dubey stated.
On the other hand, he also contended that this problem would have an enormous effect on the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. According to him, neither the Congress nor the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) would align with Shiv Sena (UBT) in the municipal polls, forcing the party to contest alone.
“In the BMC elections, Congress will not fight it, similarly, the NCP(SP) will fight alone, without any opponent. It might not get the confidence of Muslims, Hindus, Marathis, non-Marathis. Its existence will be finished after this problem” he also noted.
Opposition’s Amendments Rejected, Allegations of Political Turmoil
Dubey further commented on the rejection of amendments moved by the Opposition the Opposition party “was trying to block the Waqf Bill” instead of having meaningful conversations. He alleged that the Opposition parties did not seriously discuss amendments but rather sought to block the Bill entirely.
Among the most controversial examples that he brought up was the conduct he described of Trinamool Congress (Tmc) member of parliament K. Banjee during last year’s heated committee meeting. According to Dubey, Banerjee had smashed a glass bottle on the table during an argument, leading to the unprecedented suspension of MPs from a parliamentary committee—an action never before seen since the Constitution came into effect.
Opposition’s Alleged Political Opportunism and Muslim Representation
Furthering his criticism, Dubey accused the Opposition of both harassing Muslims and indulging in appeasement politics. He questioned the sincerity of certain leaders, pointing out their absence from crucial JPC meetings.
“If they are so concerned about Muslims, why didn’t Saharanpur MP Imran Masood come on Monday for the meeting? The same for NCP (SP) member Suresh Mhatre. And he didn’t show up, Sanjay Singh, who screams on the streets for Muslim vote,” he commented.
Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
After the discussion in the JPC, the following salient provisions in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were retained. The amendments aim to enhance representation and participation in Waqf management:.
- Muslim Women Representation: Two Muslim women will continue to be included as members in both the State Waqf Boards (Section 14) and the Central Waqf Council (Section 9). This article aims to guarantee the empowerment and better participation of Muslim women in Waqf management.
- Muslim OBC Representation: The State Waqf Boards will now include one member from the Muslim Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, ensuring broader representation and inclusivity (Section 14).
Political Implications and the Road Ahead
The controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 has ignited a bigger political debate, especially in Maharashtra. In view of the BMC elections, Dubey’s statement represents the BJP’s plan to besiege the Shiv Sena (UBT) and create a rift between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the proposed alliance between the Congress and NCP (SP).
Although Dubey has predicted a dark times ahead for Thackeray’s party, the political situation in the State of Maharashtra is yet to be seen in the next few months. The effect on electoral strategies, especially in Mumbai, of the Waqf Bill might be very significant in the upcoming elections.
As tensions continue to rise, the BJP and the INDIA bloc are gearing up for a fierce battle—both within the Parliament and at the ballot box.
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