Centre introduces Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha, Opposition calls it anti-constitutional

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday introduced a bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards. The bill, when passed, will give the government a big say in regulating Waqf properties, and drew condemnation from the Opposition MPs, calling it "unconstitutional" and "draconian".

Congress leader KC Venugopal said the bill was "draconian" and a "fundamental attack" on the Constitution. He alleged that the bill would create religious divisions and hate between communities.

"There is a dispute in each and every mosque where is there is no deed. Your fundamental idea is to create the conflict and create anger between the communities and make violence everywhere," he said.

Venugopal linked the Waqf Bill to the upcoming Assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana. "You want this bill specialised before Haryana and Maharashtra elections," he said.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.