Chandigarh: Home Minister Amit Shah, during a rally in Badshahpur, Gurgaon, on Sunday, provided a major update regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. He indicated that the bill would likely be passed in the winter session of Parliament, stating, "Waqf board law... we will fix it in the next session of Parliament."
The bill has faced opposition, with critics arguing that it interferes with the religious rights of minorities and is based on unfounded concerns about current waqf boards. However, the government has defended the bill, emphasizing that it aims to ensure transparency in the waqf authorities' operations and curb their arbitrary powers. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), headed by BJP's Jagdambika Pal, is currently reviewing the bill, and discussions within the panel have seen heated exchanges between opposition and BJP members. The JPC has received over 1.25 crore emails about the bill, leading BJP MP Nishikant Dubey to call for a home ministry investigation into a possible plot to obstruct the legislation.
At the rally, Shah also made significant promises regarding job creation, pledging 5 lakh government jobs with pensions for youth over the next five years if the BJP remains in power in Haryana. He also reaffirmed his commitment to providing government jobs with pensions for Agniveers after their four-year military service. Criticizing the Congress party, Shah accused its members of disregarding merit-based job appointments, claiming that Congress candidates support a quota system that undermines merit. He said, "We will provide jobs to 5 lakh youths without any parchi and kharchi."
Shah also took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, labeling him a "lie machine" and accusing Congress of spreading false information about the Agnipath scheme, which Shah said was introduced to keep the Indian Army young. He further accused Congress of favoritism, referring to the party as a group of "dalal, dealer, and damaad," benefiting specific communities and districts during its rule. Job creation remains a crucial issue in the lead-up to the Haryana assembly elections, with the Congress manifesto promising 2 lakh jobs if elected to power.
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