On Thursday, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill held its first meeting. During this session, the Ministry of Minority Affairs gave a presentation. However, opposition MPs raised objections to several provisions of the proposed law.
Marathon Meeting with Intense Discussions
The JPC conducted a marathon meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, where the Ministry of Minority Affairs made a detailed presentation. Despite frequent heated exchanges, members from various political parties remained engaged for hours, sharing their thoughts, making suggestions, and seeking clarifications on the provisions of the bill.
Concerns Raised by Opposition MPs
In the meeting, MPs like Kalyan Banerjee from the Trinamool Congress, Sanjay Singh from the Aam Aadmi Party, Asaduddin Owaisi from AIMIM, and A. Raja from the DMK, among others, raised concerns. They questioned several aspects of the bill, including the provision of giving more powers to the Collector and the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board.
Next Meeting Scheduled for August 30
Some members accused the ministry and its officials of not being adequately prepared to address the questions raised during the meeting. According to one member, the next meeting of the JPC is scheduled for August 30.
Committee Led by Jagdambika Pal
The meeting was chaired by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, who heads the 31-member committee tasked with examining the controversial bill. The bill has faced opposition from various political parties and Muslim organizations. This is the first major initiative by the BJP-led NDA government aimed at improving the registration process of Waqf properties through a centralized portal. The bill proposes several reforms, including the establishment of a Central Waqf Council, which would provide representation to state Waqf boards, Muslim women, and non-Muslim representatives.
Background
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 and was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee after a heated debate. The government emphasized that the proposed law is not intended to interfere with the functioning of mosques, while the opposition criticized it as an attack on Muslims and the Constitution.