Tue Jan 28 08:27:12 UTC 2025: ## Waqf Amendment Bill Approved by JPC Amidst Opposition Outcry
**New Delhi:** The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has approved the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, paving the way for its presentation in Parliament’s upcoming Budget session. The approval, however, was met with strong opposition protests.
The BJP-led panel adopted 14 amendments proposed by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while rejecting all 16 amendments suggested by the Opposition through a voice vote. Opposition members accused the JPC chairman, BJP MP Jagadambika Pal, of violating parliamentary procedure and railroading the process. DMK MP A. Raja even threatened legal action, stating he would challenge the bill in the Supreme Court.
Key changes approved by the JPC include granting state governments the power to appoint officers to determine Waqf property status, replacing the previously proposed absolute power vested in District Collectors. The controversial mandatory inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards has been dropped. Instead, the composition of the Waqf Board will be increased to three members, including a scholar. The JPC also amended the “Waqf by user” provision, ensuring it will not apply retrospectively to registered properties, a decision contested by Congress MP Imran Masood who claims this excludes the majority of unregistered Waqf properties. Masood further accused the government of attempting to incite unrest with this bill.
The JPC will circulate the final draft on Tuesday, meet again on January 29th to adopt the report, and submit it to the Lok Sabha Speaker by January 31st for tabling in Parliament before February 5th.
First Piper 