The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, reportedly rejected 44 amendments proposed by Opposition members while approving 12 put forward by the BJP and its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, prompting the Opposition to accuse the committee chairman of acting dictatorially by not hearing their views.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on 8 August 2024, seeks to introduce significant changes to the management and regulation of Waqf properties, particularly regarding the authority to determine disputes over whether a property classified as Waqf is government land.
The approved amendments include provisions allowing state governments to appoint the authority responsible for making such determinations, replacing the earlier proposal to delegate this power solely to the district collector.
Another approved amendment modifies the composition of Waqf Boards in states, expanding the number of government-appointed members from two to three, one of whom must be an Islamic scholar. The proposal also allows for the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards, along with the potential appointment of non-Muslim Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). This provision has faced criticism from the Opposition, which argued against the changes, raising concerns over the implications for the autonomy of Waqf Boards.
The committee meeting, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, saw sharp divisions between the ruling coalition and the Opposition. The Opposition claimed that the process lacked adherence to democratic principles, alleging that they were not given adequate opportunities to discuss the amendments or present their arguments in detail. Opposition members criticised the chairperson for what they described as an undemocratic and pre-determined approach to passing amendments.
The JPC consists of 31 members, including 16 from the NDA, 13 from the Opposition, one from the YSR Congress Party, and one nominated member. With the NDA holding a majority in the committee, the 12 approved amendments gained support, while the 44 proposed by the Opposition were outvoted. This imbalance in representation has further fuelled criticism from the Opposition regarding the fairness of the decision-making process.
Among the contentious provisions of the proposed Bill is Section 3C(2), which empowers the state government to resolve disputes over whether a property classified as Waqf is government-owned. The provision grants authority to the collector to conduct inquiries and determine the nature of the property, shifting the decision-making power away from the Waqf Tribunal. This amendment has drawn criticism for its potential to undermine the independence of Waqf institutions.
The Bill also includes a proposal to extend the timeline for registering Waqf properties on the designated portal, increasing the duration from six months. This amendment, along with the others, aims to streamline administrative processes and ensure greater oversight of Waqf properties, although concerns remain over its implementation and impact.
The meeting highlighted the deep divisions between the ruling coalition and the Opposition, with the latter accusing the government of undermining democratic norms while asserting that the amendments favouring the government were passed without adequate deliberation.