NEW DELHI: Union minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday said the Rajya Sabha set a new record in legislative debate with a 17-hour and 2-minute-long discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill , surpassing the previous record set in 1981 during the discussion on the Essential Services Maintenance Act.
“One important milestone we achieved in Rajya Sabha… There was not a single disruption,” Rijiju said at a press conference, underlining the significance of the uninterrupted and extensive deliberation. “It seems extremely difficult to break this record.”
The minister’s remarks come amid criticism from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi , who described the passage of the bill as “forceful” and “bulldozed” during a Congress Parliamentary Party meeting.
Responding to this, Rijiju said, “Sonia Gandhi is a senior leader; I don’t want to comment on her. But I must clarify: this was not rushed. There was a detailed, record-breaking debate. Such extensive discussion has not happened in parliamentary history.”
The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday with 128 members voting in favour and 95 against. The Lok Sabha had cleared the bill after a similar late-night debate on Wednesday.
The government introduced the revised version after accepting key recommendations from a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The legislation, which amends the Waqf Act of 1995, aims to modernize the administration of waqf properties, streamline the registration process, and incorporate technological tools for better governance.
“One important milestone we achieved in Rajya Sabha… There was not a single disruption,” Rijiju said at a press conference, underlining the significance of the uninterrupted and extensive deliberation. “It seems extremely difficult to break this record.”
The minister’s remarks come amid criticism from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi , who described the passage of the bill as “forceful” and “bulldozed” during a Congress Parliamentary Party meeting.
Responding to this, Rijiju said, “Sonia Gandhi is a senior leader; I don’t want to comment on her. But I must clarify: this was not rushed. There was a detailed, record-breaking debate. Such extensive discussion has not happened in parliamentary history.”
The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday with 128 members voting in favour and 95 against. The Lok Sabha had cleared the bill after a similar late-night debate on Wednesday.
The government introduced the revised version after accepting key recommendations from a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The legislation, which amends the Waqf Act of 1995, aims to modernize the administration of waqf properties, streamline the registration process, and incorporate technological tools for better governance.
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