Mon Jan 27 08:03:39 UTC 2025: ## Waqf Amendment Bill Cleared by Joint Parliamentary Committee Amidst Opposition Concerns

**New Delhi:** The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Monday approved the Waqf Amendment Bill, incorporating 14 amendments to the draft presented last August. The move comes after a contentious process marked by accusations of bias and procedural irregularities.

The JPC, which had its deadline extended to February 13th, faced significant opposition. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member, Jagadambika Pal, proposed 44 amendments, all were rejected. Opposition MPs repeatedly accused the committee chair, also a BJP member, of favoring the ruling party, leading to several chaotic hearings. Last week, 10 opposition MPs were suspended, prompting a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla alleging that the bill was being rushed through, potentially with an eye towards the February 5th Delhi elections. Opposition members also claimed insufficient time to review the proposed changes.

The amended bill proposes significant changes to Waqf board administration, including the mandatory inclusion of non-Muslim and at least two women members. The central Waqf Council will also be restructured, incorporating a union minister, three MPs, two former judges, four individuals of “national repute,” and senior government officials – none of whom need to be Muslim. Crucially, the Waqf Council will lose its power to claim land. Further, the bill aims to restrict donations to Muslims practicing their faith for at least five years, a provision that has sparked controversy over its definition of “practicing Muslim.”

While government sources claim the amendments aim to empower Muslim women and children, critics, including Congress leader KC Venugopal, allege the bill infringes upon religious freedom. The bill now awaits further parliamentary proceedings.

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