JPC meet on waqf bill ends; final draft adopted
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting convened to scrutinize the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill concluded on Wednesday, with the panel adopting the Bill by a vote margin of 14 in favor and 11 against. Opposition members have until 4 p.m. today to register their dissent.
On Monday, the JPC approved 14 amendments proposed by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), rejecting all 44 changes submitted by Opposition MPs, which sparked outrage from political parties.
One key amendment empowers state governments to appoint an officer to determine whether a property is Waqf, replacing the District Collector who initially had absolute authority. Under the Waqf Act of 1995, this power was vested in survey commissioners and additional commissioners.
The committee also dropped the “mandatory” inclusion of two non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards and proposed a restructured composition, increasing membership to three, including a scholar.
JPC Chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, speaking to reporters, said it was the final meeting of the panel and that 14 amendments were cleared based on majority votes.
“In the past six months, we discussed numerous amendments. All were put to vote today, and members gave their verdict with 16 voting in favor while 14 opposed,” Pal stated.
The committee proceedings have frequently descended into chaos, with Opposition members accusing the chairman of bias and undue haste to favor the ruling party.
In a joint statement, 11 Opposition MPs criticized the “autocratic” conduct of Jagdambika Pal, accusing him of rushing the process for political motives ahead of upcoming Assembly elections.
“As deliberations conclude, we formally register our protest against the chairman’s conduct and gross deviations from established parliamentary rules and procedures,” the statement read.
BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi dismissed these allegations, asserting that every member was given “ample time and was heard out.”
Initially expected by November 29, the JPC’s recommendations deadline was extended until February 13.
