Parliamentary Committee Debates Controversial Waqf Bill Amid Political Tensions

The Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, is set to review proposed reforms to the Waqf Act. Despite heated discussions and political accusations, the committee aims to address management issues of waqf properties to benefit communities through comprehensive stakeholder engagement.

The Joint Committee of Parliament convened to deliberate the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, at the Parliament Annexe building in New Delhi, spearheaded by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. The committee's primary focus is to reform the Waqf Act to ensure community-oriented utilization of waqf properties.

The session included inputs from Cuttack-based organizations Justice in Reality and Panchasakha Prachar, as well as a delegation of five MPs from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). The committee's Monday meeting also saw representatives from the Ministry of Minority Affairs providing insights on the proposed legislation, part of a broader initiative to address issues in waqf property management.

Monday's discussions in the Joint Parliamentary Committee were fraught with tension as opposition members questioned the bill's consultative process, alleging political motivations and targeting of the Muslim community. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi delivered a critical analysis of the bill's potential consequences, while Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee questioned the legal status of waqf under Indian law. BJP members defended the bill, citing its necessity for reform and transparency. Proposed reforms include record digitization, stricter audits, and legal means to reclaim occupied waqf properties. The committee plans to gain extensive feedback from stakeholders including government, legal, and community entities across regions.

(With inputs from agencies.)