Joint Parliamentary Committee clears Waqf Amendment Bill

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Monday approved all amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposed by BJP-led NDA members. The committee rejected every change suggested by opposition members during the meeting.

Committee chairman Jagdambika Pal stated that the adopted amendments aim to make the law more effective. “The changes will enhance the clarity and functionality of the Waqf Act,” Pal told reporters after the meeting.

Opposition members criticized the proceedings, accusing Pal of undermining the democratic process. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee described the meeting as “a farcical exercise” and claimed that opposition voices were ignored. “Pal acted in a dictatorial manner,” Banerjee said.

Pal dismissed these allegations, asserting that the process followed democratic principles. “The majority view prevailed, and decisions were made through voting,” he said.

A key amendment approved by the committee involves removing the ‘Waqf by user’ provision from the current law. This provision allowed properties used for religious purposes to be classified as Waqf based on longstanding use. The proposed change ensures existing Waqf properties cannot be questioned under this rule if they serve religious purposes.

Pal highlighted that the committee accepted NDA members’ amendments to 14 clauses of the Bill. Meanwhile, opposition members proposed amendments to all 44 clauses, but none gained approval. According to Pal, these amendments were defeated through a voting process.

The Waqf Amendment Bill aims to address ambiguities in the existing law and streamline the management of Waqf properties. However, the opposition argues that the government is rushing the Bill without addressing concerns about transparency and inclusivity.

As the Bill advances, its passage in Parliament will likely spark further debate, with both sides fiercely defending their positions.