The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is gearing up for nationwide consultations to discuss proposed reforms to the Waqf Act.
The discussions will take place in multiple cities across five states from September 26 to October 1, with the aim of gathering input from various stakeholders involved in the management of waqf properties.
These properties, over 600,000 in total, include mosques, educational institutions, and charitable establishments that are crucial to community welfare across India.
The first stop on the JPC’s tour will be Mumbai on September 26. In Mumbai, the committee will engage with representatives from the Maharashtra government, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, and the Maharashtra Waqf Board.
Maharashtra plays a key role in the management of waqf properties, with a rich history of supporting major religious and charitable institutions. In addition to government officials, the committee will meet members from the Maharashtra State Minority Commission, the Bar Council, Lawyers Associations, and Muttawalli Associations. These legal and operational experts are directly involved in the functioning and management of waqf properties.
Mumbai’s discussion will focus on key issues like transparency, efficiency, and community empowerment. Given the state’s diverse population and significant minority representation, Maharashtra's perspective on managing waqf assets is expected to set the tone for the rest of the consultations. The JPC will aim to explore how Maharashtra’s approach can be used to improve waqf management across the country.
On September 27, the JPC will visit Ahmedabad in Gujarat to continue the discussions. Representatives from the Gujarat government, the Gujarat Waqf Board, and other key stakeholders will share their views on the proposed reforms.
Gujarat has a well-established minority affairs infrastructure and a history of efficiently managing waqf properties with both historical and religious significance. The Bar Council, Lawyers Associations, and Muttawalli Associations will also provide their legal perspectives on the reforms. Gujarat's proactive governance model has often been praised for its efficiency, and the JPC will explore how to replicate this model for waqf management.
Hyderabad will host the next round of discussions on September 28. Representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh, including their respective Waqf Boards and Minority Commissions, will participate in the meeting.
Hyderabad, home to several significant waqf properties like the Mecca Masjid, plays a crucial role in the social and economic welfare of the region. The involvement of Chhattisgarh’s Waqf Board will provide insights from central India, ensuring a broad understanding of waqf management across southern and central regions of the country.
On September 30, the JPC will hold a consultation in Chennai, where they will meet with the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board and the State Minority Commission. Tamil Nadu has its own unique challenges with waqf properties, particularly in rural areas such as the Thiruchirapalli District.
Rural waqf properties often face issues like encroachment and underutilisation, and the committee aims to gather insights from local leaders to find solutions that can better empower communities through more effective waqf management.
The final stop of the JPC’s tour will be Bengaluru on October 1. Representatives from the Karnataka government, the Karnataka Waqf Board, and the State Minority Commission will join the discussions.
Karnataka is home to a large number of waqf properties, and the management of these assets has faced both challenges and successes over the years. Adding to the diversity of the discussion will be representatives from the Kerala Waqf Board and various legal associations.
Kerala’s distinct waqf management practices offer valuable insights, particularly on how waqf assets can be integrated into broader social welfare programs.
These consultations are part of a larger effort by the JPC to reform the Waqf Act and ensure waqf properties are managed effectively for the benefit of the community.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to introduce significant changes, including digitising waqf records, conducting stricter audits, decentralising waqf management, and providing legal avenues to reclaim encroached properties.
The bill is seen as a necessary step in addressing long-standing issues of mismanagement, corruption, and illegal occupation of waqf properties, problems that have plagued the sector for years.
The Waqf Act, initially enacted in 1995, was intended to regulate and manage waqf properties for the welfare of the community. However, over time, the act has faced criticism for failing to address issues like lack of transparency, inefficiency, and widespread encroachment.
The proposed amendments aim to rectify these problems by modernising waqf management and making it more accountable. The inclusion of digitisation and stricter audits is seen as a major step towards improving transparency, while legal mechanisms will help reclaim properties that have been illegally occupied.
The JPC's consultations in six states and two Union Territories are aimed at creating a more comprehensive and effective Waqf Act that aligns with the needs of the community.
By gathering input from a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community leaders, the committee hopes to refine the bill and ensure its practical implementation. These meetings will play a crucial role in shaping the future of waqf management in India, making sure that these assets are used for the greater good.
The JPC is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the end of the first week of the upcoming parliament session, which will likely mark the next stage in the legislative process for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The outcome of these consultations will be critical in determining how the proposed reforms are shaped and implemented across the country.
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