'Heard In The Lobby...': Akhilesh Yadav Alleges Attack On Lok Sabha Speaker’s Rights, Amit Shah Hits Back

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke in the Lok Sabha today. (PTI photos)

In a heated debate in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the rights of Speaker Om Birla was being undermined

In a heated debate in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the rights of Speaker Om Birla was being undermined, sparking a strong response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

During discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Yadav criticised the bill, asserting, “This bill, which is being introduced, is a result of well-thought-out political strategy. Speaker sir, I heard in the lobby that some of your rights are going to be taken away and we will have to fight for you… I oppose this bill.”

In response, Shah dismissed Yadav’s concerns, stating, “Akhilesh ji, you cannot speak in such a vague manner. You are not the protector of the Speaker’s rights.”

Yadav, who previously served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, accused the BJP of using the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as a cover for land deals that benefit its members.

“BJP is working like a real estate company. It should change its name by adding ‘Zameen’ instead of ‘Janta’: Bhartiya Zameen Party,” he shared in a Hindi post on ‘X’.

He further alleged that Waqf Board lands are merely another link in a series of “schemes” designed for BJP’s benefit after land acquisitions for Defence, Railways, and Nazul lands.

“Why doesn’t BJP openly write: ‘Issued in the interest of BJP’ ,” the Samajwadi Party chief questioned.

Waqf Board lands are just another link in the chain of ‘schemes for the benefit of BJP’ after Defence land, Railway land and Nazul land. Why doesn’t BJP openly write: ‘Issued in the interest of BJP’ he wrote.

Additionally, he demanded a “written guarantee” that Waqf Board lands would not be sold off.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposes significant changes to the existing Waqf law, aiming to ensure broader representation in Waqf boards, including Muslim women and non-Muslims. It also seeks to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.

The bill suggests removing Section 40 of the current law, which pertains to the board’s authority over Waqf property decisions. It includes provisions for a diverse composition of the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards, as well as the establishment of separate boards for Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis and other backward classes among Muslim communities.

(With inputs from agencies)