The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, Jan 29, 2025: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 has adopted its report with a majority vote, as announced by JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal on Wednesday. The amended bill received approval with a 15-11 vote, despite opposition claims that the amendments are “unconstitutional” and accuse the Bill of targeting minorities.
Jagdambika Pal addressed reporters, stating, “We circulated the 656-page JPC report to all members. After thorough deliberations, the JPC committee has finalized and adopted the report.” He further noted, “Today is a significant day for the JPC regarding the Waqf Bill. We will present our report to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for adoption, along with the revised bill.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 was referred to the 21-member JPC in August of the previous year. The proposed legislation aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, focusing on granting state waqf boards additional powers, conducting surveys of waqf properties, and addressing encroachments on such properties.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi voiced his concerns, stating, “We received the 656-page report only last night. It is impossible to read such a lengthy report in a single night. I have submitted a dissent report, opposing amendments that undermine the Waqf Board’s interests. I will also oppose the Bill in Parliament.”
DMK MP A Raja echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the rushed process. “We received the draft report late last night, and it is unreasonable to expect dissent notes to be submitted overnight,” he remarked.
SP MP Mohibbullah Nadvi called the proceedings “unfortunate” and lamented the lack of consultation with stakeholders and the disregard for public opinion. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee also criticized the report, claiming that it ignored alternative views and was “wholly perverse.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is designed to tackle challenges related to the management of Waqf properties, including legal measures to recover encroached properties, enhance transparency, improve audits, and promote digitization.
In defense of the bill, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya stated, “The government aims to modernize the management of Waqf properties, ensuring transparency and preventing the abuse of the law by vested interests. The final report brings much-needed accountability, empowering the Muslim community and safeguarding communal harmony.”
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