Parliamentary Panel adopts Waqf (Amendment) Bill amid Opposition protest

JPC adopts amended Waqf bill as Oppn slams its provisions as ‘unconstitutional’

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) scrutinizing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, adopted its report and the amended version of the proposed law on January 29, with a 15-11 majority vote, panel chairperson Jagdambika Pal announced.

Opposition alleges unconstitutionality

Opposition members, including those from the Congress, DMK, TMC, AAP, and AIMIM, strongly opposed the Bill, claiming it was “unconstitutional” and would allow government interference in Muslim religious affairs. They argued that the changes would dismantle Waqf boards and impact the administration of Muslim endowments.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee called the committee’s observations “wholly perverse”, while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi warned the Bill would weaken Waqf boards. Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain and DMK’s A Raja condemned it as a move targeting minorities, with Raja vowing to challenge the law in the Supreme Court once it is passed.

BJP defends the amendments

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya rejected the criticism, stating that the Bill aims to bring transparency and accountability to Waqf boards. He claimed that it would empower the Muslim community and ensure better management of Waqf properties.

Chairperson Jagdambika Pal emphasized that many opposition concerns had been addressed in the amendments and that the Bill would help Waqf boards function more effectively.

Key amendments in the Bill

• The “Waqf by user” clause, which allowed land to be recognized as Waqf through prolonged use, has been removed. However, cases will not be reopened retroactively, provided they are not disputed or government-owned.
• Non-Muslims can now be part of Waqf boards, as beneficiaries, stakeholders, or parties in disputes.
• The inquiry powers in disputes involving Waqf properties have been shifted from the district collector to a senior state government official.
• For the first time, Pasmanda (backward) Muslims, women, and orphans have been officially recognized as beneficiaries of Waqf properties.

Report submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker

Pal confirmed that the committee’s 655-page report would be submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. It will now be up to Parliament to decide the next steps, with the Budget Session beginning on January 31.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on August 8, 2024, and was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for review. The Bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act, of 1995, to streamline the regulation and management of Waqf properties across India.

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