Arvind Sawant Defends Absence During Waqf Bill Discussion
- Arvind Sawant faced criticism for being absent during the Waqf Bill discussion in Parliament.
- He reassured his opposition to the law while following the principle of 'appeasement of none'.
- The incident reflects the challenge of balancing political responsibilities and constituents' expectations.
Mumbai South MP Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT) has come under fire from his Muslim constituents for not attending the parliamentary discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Despite the criticism, Sawant stated he would oppose the bill while adhering to a principle of "appeasement of none." The bill, introduced on August 8, aims to amend the existing 1995 law and has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) following opposition objections. In response to accusations regarding the absence of nine Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs during the bill's presentation, Sawant clarified that party members were accompanying party leader Uddhav Thackeray in Delhi. He emphasized that their absence was not intentional and reached out to Muslim constituents to explain the situation. Sawant also highlighted ongoing issues with the management of Waqf properties, asserting that his party would not favor any particular community. Sawant expressed his opposition to certain provisions of the bill, particularly those allowing non-Muslims to be appointed to the Waqf Board. He pointed out that while the bill was introduced without thorough discussion, he intends to voice his concerns during the JPC hearings. The central government has justified the amendments by citing the need to address the extensive powers claimed by Waqf Boards, amidst allegations of mismanagement and the transfer of Waqf properties into private ownership.