Waqf Bill Panel Seeks Extension for Report Submission

Overview

• The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill has sought an extension until the end of the Budget Session in 2025 to complete its report.
• Opposition members and some BJP MPs have criticized the JPC's handling of the process, citing incomplete consultations with key stakeholders, including state governments and Waqf boards.
• The proposed amendments aim to modernize Waqf board governance, ensure transparency, and include mandatory representation of women, but have faced resistance from opposition parties and some BJP allies.
• Controversy over the JPC's proceedings includes allegations of bias, unilateral decisions, and rushed timelines by its chairman, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.
• The Waqf Amendment Bill, introduced in August, has sparked debates over its potential impact on the Muslim community and disputes over government and Waqf property claims.