The second meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 took place on Thursday at the Parliament House Annexe, led by MP Jagadambika Pal. This committee is tasked with thoroughly examining the proposed amendments to the Waqf Bill, which has stirred significant interest among various stakeholders.
During the meeting, representatives from several key organisations were present, including the All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama from Mumbai, the Indian Muslims for Civil Rights based in Delhi, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, and the Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf. These organisations were invited to share their perspectives on the proposed amendments and how they might impact the governance of Waqf properties.
Jagadambika Pal, the Chairman of the JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill, spoke to reporters ahead of the meeting. He reiterated the committee's commitment to gathering input from as many Waqf boards and minority organisations across the country as possible.
Pal emphasised the importance of developing a robust amendment bill that takes into account the views of those directly affected by the proposed changes. He noted that the government aims to introduce a more comprehensive and effective block amendment bill, which will be informed by the consultations held by the JPC.
In addition to consulting with these organisations, the JPC has also invited views and suggestions from the public, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), experts, stakeholders, and other institutions.
According to a press release issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, those interested in submitting written suggestions have been asked to send their inputs to the Joint Secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat within 15 days of the advertisement's publication.
Submissions can be made in either English or Hindi and should be sent to the provided postal address or via email. The committee has assured that all submissions will be treated as confidential and will form part of the official records.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament and was subsequently referred to the JPC for detailed scrutiny. The committee, which comprises 31 members—21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha—is expected to submit its report on the Bill by the end of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament this year.
Among the key proposals in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a significant change to the composition of Waqf boards at the state level. The Bill suggests allowing the appointment of a non-Muslim chief executive officer and at least two non-Muslim members to the Waqf boards, which traditionally oversee the management of Waqf properties.
This change has sparked debate among various groups, as it represents a departure from the customary practice of having exclusively Muslim members on these boards.
Another notable proposal in the Bill is the recommendation to make the District Collector the arbiter in disputes over whether a particular property is classified as Waqf property or government land. This provision aims to streamline the resolution of such disputes and ensure better governance of Waqf properties across the country.
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