New Delhi: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 on Monday adopted all amendments proposed by the ruling BJP-led NDA members while rejecting every suggestion put forth by the opposition, reports The Hindu.
JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal announced after the meeting that the adopted amendments aim to enhance the law’s effectiveness and clarity.
A significant change proposed by the committee is the removal of the clause allowing disputes over Waqf properties based on “Waqf by user,” provided the properties are used for religious purposes. If accepted, this amendment will become part of the new law.
Pal confirmed that NDA members’ amendments to 14 clauses of the bill were approved, while opposition MPs’ proposed changes across all 44 clauses were defeated during the voting process.
Opposition MPs expressed strong disapproval of the meeting’s proceedings. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee criticised Pal’s approach, calling the process a “farce” and accusing the chairman of acting in a “dictatorial manner.”
“It was a mockery of democracy. Our voices were ignored,” Banerjee told reporters.
Dismissing these accusations, Pal stated that the deliberations were entirely democratic and conducted as per parliamentary norms, with the majority view prevailing.
The committee’s decision comes amidst ongoing concerns and debates surrounding the proposed amendments to the Waqf law.
