The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Wakf (Amendment) Bill held its first marathon meeting on Thursday, even as opposition MPs raised objections to several provisions of the proposed law. During this, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs made a presentation. There were heated exchanges during the long meeting, but members of various parties recorded their views, gave suggestions and sought clarifications on the provisions of the bill.
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Opposition members, including Trinamool Congress’ Kalyan Banerjee, AAP’s Sanjay Singh, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi and DMK’s A Raja, questioned several provisions such as giving more powers to the collector and inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Wakf Board. Concerns were also raised over the ministry’s preparedness to answer the questions raised. Committee chairman Jagadambika Pal assured members that all stakeholders, including various Muslim bodies, would be consulted. The committee aims to bring a comprehensive bill addressing all the 44 amendments by the next session.
Sources said several opposition members in the committee questioned the government’s intent and alleged that the bill contained provisions that were “unconstitutional” and “detrimental to the interests” of the Muslim community. They said the stance was also opposed by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), leading to a heated debate.
Sources said opposition MPs alleged that the bill violates freedom of religion, freedom of equality and Article 26. Some MPs expressed dissatisfaction over the presentation of representatives of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Sources said that BJP allies in the meeting said that the interests of the main minority community should be protected. Committee chairman BJP MP Jagdambika Pal sought to take the discussion towards a constructive outcome.
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The bill, introduced on August 8, proposes reforms including a central Waqf Council and representation for Muslim women and non-Muslims. A controversial clause names the district collector as the primary authority to classify properties as Waqf or government land. The government says the bill aims to improve the registration process for Waqf properties without interfering with mosque operations, while the opposition sees it as targeting Muslims.
