Massive Response: Waqf (Amendment) Bill Sparks 1.2 Crore Emails, Triggers Nationwide Debate

A parliamentary panel studying the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has received 1.2 crore email responses amid campaigns by rival groups. Chaired by BJP leader Jagadambika Pal, the panel received an additional 75,000 documented responses, necessitating extra staff. The committee will tour five cities to gather diverse feedback on the Bill.

A parliamentary panel tasked with examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been inundated with 1.2 crore email responses, following fervent campaigns launched by opposing groups to rally support for their viewpoints on the draft law.

Sources in Parliament disclosed that the Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, chaired by BJP leader Jagadambika Pal, also received 75,000 responses complete with documents supporting various views. This has led the panel to request additional personnel from the Lok Sabha Secretariat to manage the influx.

Radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has actively encouraged his followers to oppose the Bill, triggering a counter-movement among several Hindu groups calling for support emails to the committee.

Last month, the committee invited written suggestions from the public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders, and institutions regarding the Bill. A statement urged people to send their comments to the joint secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat either by post or email.

The committee is also planning a five-city tour starting September 26 to seek feedback from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

The nationwide consultations are crucial for the panel to understand diverse viewpoints on the Bill's provisions related to digitising records, improved auditing processes, stronger legal frameworks against encroachments, and decentralising Waqf management.

(With inputs from agencies.)