New Delhi – The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill held its inaugural meeting on Thursday, with officials from the minority affairs and law ministries presenting details on proposed changes to the legislation. The 31-member committee, led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, is charged with examining the contentious bill that has faced criticism from opposition parties and Muslim organizations.

During the meeting, the minority affairs ministry representatives outlined the amendments proposed to the Bill, as stated by the Lok Sabha secretariat. The committee plans to thoroughly review the bill and address concerns raised by various stakeholders.

Committee's Objectives and Amendments

Jagdambika Pal emphasized that the committee aims to scrutinize all 44 proposed amendments and produce a comprehensive bill by the next parliamentary session. The committee will also invite representatives from different Muslim organizations to gather their perspectives.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a key reform initiative from the BJP-led NDA government, focusing on overhauling the registration process for Waqf properties through a centralized portal. Among its provisions, the Bill suggests the creation of a Central Waqf Council in addition to state Waqf Boards, which will include Muslim women and non-Muslim representatives.

A notable point of contention is the proposal to appoint the district collector as the primary authority to determine whether a property is classified as Waqf or government land. This aspect of the Bill has sparked debate, with the government asserting that it does not aim to interfere with mosque operations, while critics argue that it targets Muslims and undermines constitutional principles.

Bill's Legislative Journey

Introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, the Bill was referred to the Joint Committee after a contentious debate. The government maintains that the Bill is intended to streamline Waqf property management, whereas the opposition views it as a challenge to the rights of the Muslim community.

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