The Lok Sabha adjourned at 2:40 AM after a marathon session, passing the Waqf Amendment Bill and approving President’s Rule in Manipur.
NEW DELHI: After an intense 13-hour session that extended past midnight, the Lok Sabha adjourned at 2:40 AM on Thursday, having passed the Waqf Amendment Bill and approved a resolution imposing President’s Rule in Manipur.
The Waqf Amendment Bill aims to enhance the governance and regulation of waqf properties, while the decision on Manipur indicates a significant shift in the state’s administration due to political or security concerns. With only two days left in the Budget Session, the focus now shifts to the Rajya Sabha, where both matters will be debated and potentially approved.
The extended session underscores the urgency with which the government is pushing key legislative measures, setting the stage for intense discussions in the Upper House.
A Surprising Turn of Events in the Lok Sabha
The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed after a 12-hour-long debate, securing 288 votes in favor and 232 against. While it seemed that the day’s legislative business was concluded, the government, in a late-night move, introduced the statutory resolution for ratifying President’s Rule in Manipur around 2 AM. The sudden decision caught the Opposition off guard, with Congress MP Shashi Tharoor voicing his astonishment. Addressing Speaker Om Birla, Tharoor questioned,
“Sir, do you genuinely want the discussion at this time?”
Despite the initial surprise, the discussion proceeded quickly and wrapped up within half an hour, leading to the resolution’s adoption. Notably, a prior agreement in the House Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting had set aside an hour for deliberation on the Manipur issue, but the accelerated process further fueled Opposition claims of the government “bulldozing” legislation.
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Opposition Raises Concerns Over Parliamentary Procedure
The Opposition has been vocal in criticizing the government’s handling of the Manipur crisis, blaming the ruling party for failing to curb the ethnic violence that has persisted in the state since May 2023. Additionally, Opposition leaders have accused the government of steamrolling parliamentary proceedings and stifling debate. These concerns were underscored on Tuesday when Opposition representatives walked out of a BAC meeting in protest.
As the Rajya Sabha prepares to deliberate on both the Waqf Bill and the Manipur resolution, the numerical advantage favors the ruling NDA. With 125 MPs, including 98 from the BJP, 4 from JD(U), 3 from NCP, 2 from TDP, and 6 nominated members, the government is well-positioned to push its legislative agenda forward.
In contrast, the INDIA bloc, consisting of 88 MPs, faces a numerical disadvantage. Even with potential support from the 7 MPs of Naveen Patnaik’s BJD, which has increasingly aligned with the Opposition, the numbers remain insufficient to block the government’s plans.
Legal and Political Fallout Expected on the Waqf Bill
Beyond parliamentary proceedings, the Waqf Amendment Bill is expected to face legal challenges. Prominent critics, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, have condemned the Bill, alleging that its true objective is to marginalize the Muslim community. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has announced plans to challenge the legislation in court and launch nationwide protests against what it terms a “black law”.
For the INDIA bloc, the key challenge lies in formulating an effective political response ahead of crucial electoral battles, particularly the upcoming Bihar elections. The next few days could be pivotal in shaping their messaging and strategy.
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