Waqf Amendment Bill Clears JPC with 14 Changes

by The_unmuteenglish

New Delhi, 27 January 2025: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has approved the Waqf Amendment Bill, incorporating 14 changes after months of deliberations.

The bill, which proposes 44 amendments to the management of Muslim charitable properties, faced strong opposition throughout the review process.

Committee Chair and BJP MP Jagadambika Pal confirmed the approval Monday, with sources stating the amendments take effect on January 29, while the final report will be submitted by January 31.

During discussions, 66 amendments were proposed—23 from BJP MPs and 44 from opposition members—but only those backed by the ruling party passed.

“We discussed 44 amendments over six months and sought inputs from all members. Ultimately, 14 were accepted based on a majority vote,” Pal said.

Opposition-proposed changes were rejected, with 16 committee members from BJP-allied parties voting against them and 10 opposition MPs in favor.

The process sparked controversy as opposition leaders accused the committee of partisan bias, alleging their concerns were dismissed. BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi defended the proceedings, saying, “Mr. Pal tried to hear everyone out and provided time for amendments.”

Opposition tensions escalated last week when 10 MPs, including TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, were suspended.

These lawmakers, vocal critics of the bill, accused the chair of fast-tracking the amendments to influence the February 5 Delhi elections. They later wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging fairer proceedings.

The committee, originally expected to submit its report by November 29, secured an extension until February 13, the final day of the Budget Session, though sources indicate an earlier submission is planned.

As the bill advances, debate over its fairness and implications continues to intensify.

Related Articles