The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is currently holding a meeting at the Parliament Library Building in New Delhi. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and gather suggestions regarding the proposed changes to the Waqf laws in India.
Representatives from key organisations within the Muslim community, including the All India Sajjadanashin Council and the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, are participating in the discussions.
In the first session of the meeting, the JPC heard the views and suggestions of the All India Sajjadanashin Council, which is based in Ajmer. The chairman of the council, Syed Naseruddin Chishty, expressed his thoughts before the meeting, stating that the council was there to present its recommendations regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. He commended the committee for its inclusive approach, noting that it was essential to consider the input of all stakeholders before making any decisions.
The second session of the meeting focused on hearing the views of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, another significant organisation involved in the discussion.
The committee's efforts to involve a range of voices from within the Muslim community reflect an attempt to ensure that the concerns and suggestions from various segments of society are adequately addressed.
The discussions around the Waqf (Amendment) Bill have garnered widespread attention, especially after a previous meeting held on September 19, which was marked by a heated debate.
During that session, issues surrounding the rights of the Muslim community in relation to the majority population were extensively discussed. Various representatives and experts attended the meeting, including Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice-Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University in Patna, who shared his views on the subject.
Prof. Mustafa presented his arguments regarding the Waqf Board and Islamic traditions, while also drawing comparisons with practices from Hinduism and other religions. He supported many provisions of the bill but raised objections on specific points, particularly those he felt conflicted with long-established Islamic traditions.
His remarks sparked a heated debate among members of the committee, with several MPs from the ruling BJP and NDA questioning his stance. The exchange reportedly escalated, with a sharp argument breaking out between a BJP MP and some opposition members. An accusation of misconduct was also levelled against an opposition MP by a BJP member during the meeting.
Apart from Prof. Mustafa, representatives from the All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) were also present. The Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz expressed strong support for the bill, offering a detailed presentation to the committee outlining the reasons behind their endorsement.
On the other hand, the AIMPLB presented its opposition to the bill, providing a detailed explanation of their stance and outlining the specific points of contention.
The discussions are expected to continue as the JPC works toward formulating a final version of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, taking into account the input from various stakeholders.
The bill has sparked significant debate, with both supporters and opponents voicing their concerns about the potential impact on the Muslim community and the broader implications for religious and cultural practices in India.
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