JPC receives 84 lakh suggestions on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, plans nationwide consultations

JPC seeks public and organizational feedback on Waqf Bill

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 has received an unprecedented 84 lakh suggestions via email and approximately 70 boxes of written feedback from across India. To accommodate more input, the JPC has extended the submission deadline to midnight on September 16.

JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal announced that the committee is committed to engaging with all relevant stakeholders to gather comprehensive views on the bill. Addressing concerns related to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik and a QR code-based campaign against the bill, Pal clarified that Naik, who is currently a fugitive residing in Malaysia, has no connection to the JPC or the legislative process. He also denied that the JPC had any involvement with QR codes or related campaigns.

Pal refuted claims that the bill is anti-Islamic, emphasizing that this is the first time a bill has generated such a large volume of feedback. He noted that the Waqf law has been in place since 1913, with significant amendments in 1995 and 2013.

The JPC will focus on suggestions relevant to the 44 proposed amendments and those with legal implications. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for September 19 and 20, where the committee will hear from Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, and representatives from various organizations, including the Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz and the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board.

Further consultations are planned with the All India Sajjadanashin Parishad (Ajmer), the Muslim National Forum, and Bharat First (Delhi). Between September 26 and October 1, the JPC will visit Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore to meet with Waqf Board officials, Muslim scholars, and Bar Council representatives. Additional visits to Lucknow and Kolkata are also being planned for October.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, were introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, to address challenges in managing Waqf properties, improve administration, and enhance efficiency through updated definitions and technological advancements. The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill aims to repeal the outdated Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923, replacing it with more modern legislation for the effective management of Waqf properties.

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