The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chairperson Jagdambika Pal announced on Wednesday that the panel had adopted the draft report of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, along with the amended version of the proposed legislation through a majority vote. Out of the total members, 16 voted in favor of the report, while 11 opposed it. The panel has given its members time until 4 pm today to submit their dissenting opinions, allowing opposition members a final opportunity to register their objections to the process and the bill's provisions.
So far, several opposition leaders have formally submitted their dissent notes, including Trinamool Congress MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Nadimul Haque, DMK leader A Raja, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh, and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant. Opposition members have strongly criticized the manner in which the amendments were passed, arguing that they were given inadequate time to review the final report and raise concerns. Describing the process as "undemocratic," Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant stated that all opposition members would submit their dissent notes in protest, alleging that their voices were being ignored in the decision-making process.
Jagdambika Pal is expected to submit the revised bill to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday, January 30, paving the way for the next stage of parliamentary deliberations. Given the sharp division among members, the bill is likely to be met with intense debate once it reaches the Lok Sabha for further discussions and possible enactment.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was originally introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. It was subsequently referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on August 8, 2024, for further examination and refinement before being tabled for voting. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, in an effort to streamline the regulation and administration of Waqf properties across the country. The government has argued that the amendments are necessary to bring greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the management of Waqf assets. However, opposition parties contend that the proposed changes could have far-reaching implications, particularly concerning minority rights and governance structures.
During a detailed clause-by-clause discussion held on Monday, January 27, the Parliament panel adopted all amendments put forth by members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while simultaneously rejecting every change suggested by opposition members. Among the most notable amendments that were approved is a provision to increase the number of non-Muslim members on the Waqf management panel. Under the revised bill, up to two members of the panel can be non-Muslims, a change that has sparked criticism from opposition leaders, who argue that it could alter the traditional structure of the Waqf administration.
Other key amendments include granting state government officials, in addition to district magistrates, the authority to be appointed for specific roles related to Waqf property management. Additionally, the bill proposes an expansion of Waqf tribunals, increasing the number of tribunal members from two to three, which the government claims will enhance the tribunal’s ability to resolve disputes more efficiently.
As the bill moves closer to the final stages of the legislative process, it is expected to fuel further political debates. Opposition parties are likely to raise concerns not only about the provisions of the bill but also about the process through which the amendments were adopted. Several opposition leaders have alleged that the government rushed the amendments through without adequate consultations, denying them the opportunity to express their views fully. Meanwhile, the government has defended its actions, maintaining that the amendments are essential to improving governance and bringing much-needed reforms to the management of Waqf properties.
Given the contentious nature of the bill, its passage in the Lok Sabha could see heated exchanges between ruling and opposition members. If the bill is approved by the Lok Sabha, it will then proceed to the Rajya Sabha for further deliberation. Political analysts expect that opposition parties may attempt to challenge certain provisions through legal means or seek to mobilize public opinion against the bill. The outcome of these parliamentary proceedings will determine the future framework for Waqf property management in India.
