New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI) : The Waqf Amendment Bill, set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha today, has sparked strong opposition from Congress leaders, who have raised concerns over its potential to divide communities. Congress MP Sukhdev Bhagat on Wednesday called the bill 'evil in the name of reform,' claiming that it was being introduced with a spirit of vengeance.

'All I can say in short is that this (Waqf Amendment Bill) is evil in the name of reform , and this Bill is being brought in a spirit of vengeance,' Bhagat told ANI.

Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla expressed his concerns about the government's interference in religious matters.

Aujla said, 'They (the government) are going against democracy. Every religion has its own system. The government should not interfere in this. We have a clear stand on this...'

Pramod Tiwari, another senior Congress MP, emphasized the unity of the opposition in opposing the bill.

'The entire opposition had given some amendments to the Waqf Bill that was presented in the Joint Parliamentary Committee, considering its shortcomings, but the government did not agree. If it comes in the same form, then it is against the basic spirit of the Indian Constitution. It is against the unity and integrity of the country. Right now, the Muslim Waqf Board has come, tomorrow it will come against our Sikhs, Jains, Christians...'

The bill will be tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing. Following that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, subject to an increase. The bill was presented in the Lok Sabha in August of last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee was formed under Jagdambika Pal's leadership for further consideration.

The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties.

The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous Act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.

The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. (ANI)