The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Waqf Amendment Bill has expressed dissatisfaction with the responses provided by Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh regarding the status of Waqf properties in their respective states, reports The Hindu.
Chairman of the committee and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal revealed that the states have been granted a 15-day deadline to furnish comprehensive responses. He further noted that the panel could summon the representatives again if necessary.
The committee has requested detailed information on Waqf properties, including their registration status, classification (Waqf by deed or Waqf by user), income generated, and whether the nature of these properties can be altered.
To broaden consultations, the JPC plans to visit Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow from January 18 to 20 to engage with stakeholders. Additionally, some members have proposed a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, a decision pending consultation with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Speaking to reporters, Pal stated, “The responses submitted by the delegations were not satisfactory. We have given them 15 days to submit the information in the specified format provided by the Department of Minority Affairs.”
The deposition by officials from Karnataka comes amid allegations by BJP leaders claiming the Waqf Board is encroaching on over 1,500 acres of farmland in the state. Pal, during an earlier visit to Karnataka, interacted with farmers who had received government notices regarding supposed encroachments on Waqf properties.
The committee has also sought data from state governments about Waqf properties allegedly occupied by them in an unauthorised manner, citing findings from the 2005 Sachar Committee Report, which examined the socio-economic conditions of India’s Muslim community.
The JPC was established on August 8, shortly after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha. The proposed amendments have faced strong opposition from political parties, with critics arguing they infringe on Muslims’ religious rights. The ruling BJP, however, asserts that the changes aim to promote transparency and accountability within Waqf Boards.
The committee’s efforts to gather stakeholder perspectives and ensure clarity on Waqf property management reflect its commitment to addressing the concerns raised during the ongoing debate over the Waqf Amendment Bill.
