The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is scheduled to be presented in Parliament on Wednesday, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress issuing whips to their MPs to ensure full attendance in the House.
With no signs of bipartisan consensus between the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc, the bill’s fate is expected to be determined by a majority vote on the floor.
The bill will be tabled after the Question Hour for consideration and passage, followed by an 8-hour discussion, which may be extended as needed.
Both the BJP and Congress, along with their allies, have issued strict directives for their MPs to be present in Parliament on April 2 and 3.
The Opposition has strongly criticized the Waqf Bill, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief whip Dharmendra Yadav issuing a three-line whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha, urging them to attend the session and participate in discussions on the proposed amendments.
Leaders of the INDIA bloc also convened a meeting in Parliament on Tuesday to strategize their approach to the bill.
Originally introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2023, the bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, for further review and recommendations.
The proposed amendment seeks to reform the Waqf Act of 1995 by addressing regulatory and management challenges associated with Waqf properties. Key changes include renaming the Act, refining the definition of Waqf, improving the registration process, and incorporating technology to streamline Waqf property management.
The Waqf Act of 1995, which was enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has faced long-standing criticism over mismanagement, corruption, and encroachment issues. The Amendment Bill aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of Waqf boards, ensuring better administration and oversight of these properties.
