22 August 2024: The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is set to convene its first meeting on Thursday, reported The Indian Express. The 31-member committee, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, has been tasked with examining the contentious bill, which has sparked protests from opposition parties and various Muslim organisations.
The Bill, introduced by the BJP-led NDA government, marks a significant effort to overhaul the registration process for Waqf properties by establishing a centralised portal. It also proposes the formation of a Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards, with representation for Muslim women and non-Muslim members.
One of the most debated aspects of the Bill is the proposal to designate district collectors as the primary authority in determining whether a property is classified as Waqf or government land. This provision has been met with fierce resistance, with critics arguing that it undermines the autonomy of Waqf institutions.
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 and was referred to the joint committee following intense debate. The government has assured that the proposed amendments are not intended to interfere with the functioning of mosques, while the opposition views the Bill as an attack on the Muslim community and a violation of constitutional rights.
The committee is expected to interact with representatives from the ministries of minority affairs, and law and justice, who will brief the members on the proposed amendments. As the committee begins its deliberations, the Bill’s future will be closely watched by stakeholders across the country.
