The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is scheduled to be the subject of a lengthy debate in the Lok Sabha today, despite strong opposition from Muslim organizations and opposition parties such as the Congress, TMC, NCP, and others. The Waqf Amendment will be discussed for eight hours, with the possibility of an extension if necessary. The opposition vehemently opposes it, claiming it is “unconstitutional,” while the governing National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is urging its ratification. The law is likely to pass because of the BJP-led NDA’s numerical advantage, even in the face of the anticipated intense discussion.

How Do the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Numbers Compare With the Waqf Amendment Bill?
In an effort to influence NDA allies like the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) (JDU) to oppose the bill, the opposition, including Congress, is proactively rallying support. Rijiju said that a number of opposition MPs had backed the bill and called for its quick passage.

The NDA now has 293 MPs, much over the necessary 272 majority, with a 542-member Lok Sabha. With 240 MPs, the BJP is supported by independent members and minor parties, including the TDP, JDU, and LJP (Ramvilas), each of which has 16 MPs, 12 MPs, and 5 MPs.

With Congress holding the most seats (99), followed by the Samajwadi Party (37) and the Trinamool Congress (28), the opposition has 238 MPs.

Although they first voiced misgivings about the law, NDA allies like the TDP, JDU, and LJP (Ramvilas), which have significant Muslim support in their respective states, are unlikely to vote against its ratification.

The NDA still has an advantage in the Rajya Sabha, where the numbers are more evenly distributed. The NDA has 125 of the 236 seats in the Upper House. In the upper house, the BJP alone has 98 seats, while its allies have 19 seats. The NDA has a working majority of 125, more than the necessary 119 votes, thanks to the backing of two independents and six nominated members.

The Congress has 27 members, the TMC has 13, and the DMK and AAP have 10 each, making up the majority of the opposition INDIA bloc’s 88 members. If the Waqf Amendment Bill makes it to the Rajya Sabha, the other member parties (23), who did not back either of the two blocs, are anticipated to be crucial to the debate.

After being tabled in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) under the leadership of Jagdambika Pal due to significant resistance. Notwithstanding ongoing resistance, the administration has reintroduced the measure in Parliament in response to JPC recommendations and subsequent Cabinet approval.