New Delhi: A parliamentary panel reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been inundated with over 1.2 crore email responses as rival groups mobilize support for and against the proposed legislation. The bill, which introduces significant changes to the structure and functioning of Waqf Boards, has sparked nationwide discussions, with various communities rallying for their respective positions, reported The Hindu.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, chaired by BJP leader Jagadambika Pal, has also received 75,000 additional responses backed by supporting documents, leading the panel to seek extra staff from the Lok Sabha Secretariat. To manage the overwhelming volume of input, 15 additional personnel have been deployed to categorize and document the responses.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposes key changes, including the inclusion of non-Muslims and Muslim women in Waqf Boards and limiting the Boards’ power to declare properties as Waqf. These amendments have sparked opposition from various Muslim groups, while several Hindu organizations have rallied in support of the bill.
The controversy surrounding the bill has been amplified by the involvement of radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who urged his supporters to oppose the amendments by sending their feedback to the committee. This call to action triggered a counter-reaction from Hindu groups, who have also urged their followers to support the bill by sending emails to the panel.
In August, the committee called for written suggestions from the general public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders, and institutions, seeking their input on the bill. The public was encouraged to send their responses to the Joint Secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat either by post or email.
To further its efforts, the committee is embarking on a five-city tour, beginning September 26, to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives. The tour will include consultations in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are considered.
The consultations aim to address key aspects of the proposed amendments, such as the digitization of Waqf records, stricter auditing processes, legal measures to combat encroachments, and the decentralization of Waqf management. These nationwide efforts are intended to create a comprehensive approach to reforming the Waqf Act.
The debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill highlights the deep divisions and competing interests within the country, as both Hindu and Muslim groups actively encourage their communities to engage with the legislative process.
