Joint Parliamentary Committee invites suggestions on Waqf Bill after heated first meeting

Public views & suggestions invited on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) tasked with reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 has called for public and expert feedback on the proposed legislation. During its inaugural meeting on August 22, the committee discussed the need for a broader consultation process and agreed to seek input from a wide range of stakeholders.

In response to this, the JPC, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, has officially invited suggestions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.

An advertisement issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Friday invites individuals and organizations to submit their recommendations via post, fax, or email.

The advertisement read, “The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, as introduced in the Lok Sabha has been referred to the Joint Parliament Committee for examination and report. Considering the wider implications of the proposed Bill, the Committee under the chairmanship of Shri Jagdambika Pal has decided to invite memoranda containing views/ suggestions from the public in general and NGOs/ experts/ stakeholders and institutions in particular.”

“Those desirous of submitting written memoranda/ suggestions to the Committee may send two copies thereof either in English or Hindi to the Joint Secretary (JM), Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 440, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi-110001, TEL. No(s) 23034440/23035284, Fax No. 23017709, and mail the same to jpcwaqf-iss@sansad.nic.in within 15 days from the date of publication of this advertisement. Text of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is uploaded on the Lok Sabha website in both Hindi and English,” it further said.

“The memoranda/suggestions submitted to the Committee would form part of the records of the Committee and will be treated as ‘confidential’ and enjoy privileges of the Committee,” the Lok Sabha Secretariat said in the advertisement.

“Those who are desirous of appearing before the Committee, besides submitting memoranda, are requested to specifically indicate so. However, the Committee’s decision in this regard shall be final,” the advertisement added.

The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on August 22 was marked by a contentious exchange between BJP and opposition members regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. The debate was heated, with opposition MPs raising slogans against the bill and questioning its provisions.

The JPC will reconvene on Friday at the Parliament House Annexe for its second meeting to continue discussions on the bill. The committee has begun gathering opinions from various stakeholders and has invited several Muslim organizations to present their views. Representatives from the All India Sunni Jamiat-e-Ulema-Mumbai, Indian Muslims for Civil Rights-New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, and Rajasthan Muslim Waqf Board are scheduled to appear before the committee.

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