The central government is gearing up to introduce the Waqf Amendment Bill in this budget session. This anticipation arises from the fact that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill has submitted its report to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Today (January 30), the JPC panel headed by Jagdambika Pal met the Speaker Om Birla in his office at the Parliament House and handed over the report.
Actually, just a day earlier (January 29), the JPC panel had accepted the report based on a majority vote, incorporating the changes suggested by the ruling BJP members. However, at that time, the opposition had described this move as an attempt to dismantle the Waqf Board.
Source: aajtak
The Joint Parliamentary Committee accepted the report on the draft law regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with a 15-11 majority. Opposition members provided dissenting notes on the report, after which BJP members emphasized that the bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha last year in August, aims to bring modernity, transparency, and accountability to the management of Waqf properties. Meanwhile, the opposition labeled it an attack on the constitutional rights of the Muslim community and interference in the functioning of the Waqf Board.
Opposition Describes as Violation of Religious Rights
It should be noted that this committee was formed immediately after the Waqf Amendment Bill was presented in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024. Opposition parties criticized the proposed amendments in the bill, describing them as a violation of the religious rights of the Muslim community. On the other hand, the ruling BJP stated that these amendments would bring transparency in the functioning of the Waqf Board and hold them accountable.
