BENGALURU: The state assembly Wednesday passed a resolution rejecting Centre’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, calling it an attack on the federal structure and as being “against principles of equity, equality, and parity”. Another resolution passed in the day urged Centre to earmark a dedicated budget for SC/ST welfare, similar to what Karnataka had done through a legislation.
Law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil moved the two resolutions amid opposition from BJP MLAs, with the party accusing the govt of hypocrisy over SC/ST welfare and later staging a walkout with its ally JD(S) over the Waqf bill issue.
On the resolution urging Centre to withdraw Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, Patil argued that Waqf matters, being under the Concurrent List, did not lie in Centre’s exclusive domain. Issues pertaining to religious institutions, places of worship, and cremation grounds were joint responsibility of Union and state govts, the resolution contended.
Criticising the Centre for ignoring opposition MPs’ recommendations, it stated, “Although Karnataka Waqf Board and other organisations had opposed the amendment, it has been unilaterally decided to bring the amendment bill in the Parliament.”
BJP MLAs argued that Waqf properties were encroaching on farmers’ and temple lands. “We are completely against the resolution,” said LoP R Ashoka, before leading a BJP-JD(S) walkout.
