Jagdambika Pal Appointed Chair of Joint Committee on Controversial Waqf Bill

Senior BJP leader Jagdambika Pal has been named chairperson of the joint parliamentary committee to review the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The committee consists of 31 members from both Houses and will present its report by the next parliamentary session. The bill has stirred opposition protests, citing concerns over targeting Muslims.

Senior BJP Lok Sabha member Jagdambika Pal has been appointed chairperson of a joint parliamentary committee to scrutinize the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, a Lok Sabha notification confirmed on Tuesday.

Speaker Om Birla assigned Pal, a four-term MP from Uttar Pradesh, to head the 31-member committee amid opposition protests regarding the bill's provisions. The committee, comprising 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, is expected to deliver its report by the next session of Parliament.

Pal's appointment follows a motion by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju that was adopted by both Houses. The formal notification is due shortly. The bill, which has sparked significant debate, was referred to the joint committee after accusations that it targets Muslim communities and violates constitutional principles. The government insists that the bill does not interfere with mosque operations.

(With inputs from agencies.)