Parliament’s Joint Committee on Waqf Bill Holds First Meeting, Reviews Proposed Amendments
New Delhi: The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill convened for its inaugural meeting on Thursday, where officials from the ministries of minority affairs and law provided briefings on the proposed amendments to the draft legislation.
The 31-member committee, led by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, has been assigned by the Lok Sabha to examine the controversial bill, which has sparked protests from opposition parties and Muslim organizations.
The Lok Sabha secretariat indicated that the minority affairs ministry representatives would outline the proposed changes to the Bill during the meeting. Pal emphasized that the committee would thoroughly review the bill, including all 44 proposed amendments, and engage with various stakeholders to address their concerns.
Pal noted that the committee plans to invite representatives from different Muslim organizations to present their perspectives. The Bill, introduced on August 8, seeks to reform the registration process for Waqf properties through a centralized portal. Key provisions include the establishment of a Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards with inclusive representation, including Muslim women and non-Muslim members.
A point of contention is the proposal to make the district collector the primary authority in classifying properties as either Waqf or government land. The Bill has been met with debate, with the government asserting that it does not aim to interfere with mosque operations, while critics argue that it targets Muslims and undermines constitutional principles. The committee is expected to produce a comprehensive report by the next parliamentary session.
