Waqf Amendment Bill Advances Despite Opposition Objections
The Parliamentary Committee approved the bill with majority support, rejecting amendments from opposition members who criticized the process and provisions.
- The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with all amendments proposed by BJP and NDA lawmakers while rejecting those from opposition members.
- Opposition leaders, including from AIMIM, Congress, TMC, and DMK, criticized the process as rushed and undemocratic, citing a lack of time to review the 655-page draft report circulated just before the meeting.
- Contentious provisions include the appointment of non-Muslim members to Waqf boards and changes to the definition and governance of Waqf properties, which opposition members argue undermine constitutional rights and federal structures.
- The bill proposes reforms such as online registration of Waqf properties, inclusion of women and OBC Muslim members in Waqf boards, and limits on retrospective claims for disputed properties.
- The JPC chairman defended the process as transparent and democratic, asserting that opposition concerns were addressed in part, though dissent notes were submitted by several members.
Hindustan Times 
NDTV 
