The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill adopted its draft report and amended revised bill on Wednesday. The report will be presented to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. However, opposition members have raised objections and submitted their dissent notes on the matter.
JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal confirmed the adoption, stating, “Today, we have adopted both the report and the amended revised bill. For the first time, we have included a section that ensures the benefits of Waqf properties go to marginalized groups such as the poor, women, and orphans. Tomorrow, we will present the report to the Speaker.”
Pal added that the committee reviewed 44 clauses, with amendments proposed to 14. After conducting a majority vote, these amendments were adopted.
BJP MP Dr. Radha Mohan Das Agrawal criticized the opposition’s stance, claiming it is part of their nature to oppose the government. “The report on the Waqf Amendment Bill was adopted by 14 votes to 11. Various parties have submitted their dissent notes. The opposition is always eager to oppose the government’s work. It’s in their DNA,” he said.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya stressed that the government’s intention with the Waqf Amendment Bill is to modernize, ensure transparency, and prevent the misuse of Waqf properties by vested interests. “These objectives are achieved through the amendments that have been passed. Although the discussions were intense, the final report empowers the Muslim community by bringing accountability and transparency to Waqf Board dealings,” Surya stated.
However, the JPC’s decision sparked criticism from opposition leaders. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the bill, claiming it targets Muslims and Waqf properties. “This bill is not in favor of Waqf. The BJP is using its ideology to harm the Waqf Board and seize mosques. When the bill reaches Parliament, we will oppose it,” Owaisi said, adding that the inclusion of non-Muslim members in a Muslim Waqf Board is problematic.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee also submitted a dissent note, criticizing the process. “We received a 656-page draft report late yesterday evening, and it was impossible to read and respond adequately. The committee has ignored our views and the statements of victims. This process has turned into a mockery,” Banerjee said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant argued that the amendments violate the Constitution, particularly with the proposal to nominate members to the Waqf Board rather than elect them. “If the government can change laws regarding the Election Commission, what will it do here? This provision could lead to non-Hindus being brought into Hindu temples too, which raises constitutional concerns,” Sawant remarked.
DMK MP A. Raja also criticized the rushed approval of the draft report. “We received the draft report late last night. How could we possibly submit dissent notes in such a short time?” Raja said.
Congress MP Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain voiced concerns over the lack of inclusivity in the report. “The government’s amendments single out minorities, particularly the Muslim community, and bring unconstitutional changes that harm their rights. Many of our suggestions and objections have been ignored,” Hussain stated.
