The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill held its first meeting on Thursday, marked by vigorous debate and scrutiny. The session saw objections from opposition members concerning several provisions of the proposed law.
As the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs presented the bill, questions arose about various aspects of the proposed amendments. The meeting was characterised by intense discussions, with opposition MPs raising concerns over the bill's content.
Notable figures such as Trinamool Congress's Kalyan Banerjee, AAP's Sanjay Singh, AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, and DMK's A Raja were among those questioning the necessity of certain clauses. Specific points of contention included the bill's proposal to enhance the powers of the district collector and the inclusion of non-Muslim members on Waqf boards.
The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was marked by intense debate between BJP members and opposition representatives over the proposed legislation.
The session began with a comprehensive presentation from officials of the Minority Affairs Ministry, who explained the various provisions of the bill. Representatives from the Ministry of Law and Justice were also present to offer legal insights.
Opposition members raised serious concerns, questioning the bill’s constitutionality and its impact on the Muslim community. They argued that some provisions of the bill were detrimental to fundamental rights and freedoms. This view was met with strong counter arguments from BJP members and their allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), leading to a heated exchange.
Critics of the bill argued that it infringes on religious freedoms and equality, and some expressed dissatisfaction with how the Minority Affairs Ministry representatives presented their case. Meanwhile, BJP allies emphasised the need to protect the interests of the minority community.
Jagdambika Pal, the BJP MP and chairman of the committee, attempted to guide the discussion towards a more constructive dialogue. He stressed the importance of hearing from all stakeholders and maintaining an inclusive approach. Pal assured that the committee would engage with a wide range of participants, including State Waqf Board chairpersons and organisations representing minority groups.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was introduced during the budget session of Parliament, aims to improve the management and governance of Waqf properties. The government argues that the amendments are essential for better oversight, while opposition parties fear that the bill may undermine the autonomy of Waqf institutions and lead to excessive government control.
The JPC, consisting of 31 members—21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha—has been assigned the task of thoroughly reviewing the bill. The meeting highlighted the difficulties in reaching a consensus on this contentious issue.
Jagdambika Pal described the meeting as “fruitful” and announced that the next session would take place on August 30. The committee is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the end of the first week of the next parliamentary session.
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