JPC debate: Opposition, Muslim groups question Waqf Bill.
During a meeting held in the Parliament complex on Friday, officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) presented their findings on a particular matter. However, opposition MPs raised concerns over the accuracy of the data presented, challenging the conclusions drawn by the ASI. The opposition questioned the methodology used and demanded further clarification on specific aspects of the findings. This led to a heated exchange, with the ASI defending their research while opposition members insisted on a more detailed review. The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions between the government and opposition over the handling of key issues.
The fourth meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, held on Friday in the Parliament complex, was marked by intense disruption and debate. The session saw heated exchanges between representatives of Muslim organisations, opposition MPs, and members of the ruling party as concerns were raised over the necessity and provisions of the bill. Muslim groups expressed their strong opposition, while opposition MPs challenged the accuracy of data presented by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
During the meeting, ASI officials presented their findings on disputed properties between the Waqf Board and the government. According to sources, ASI officials claimed that there were 132 properties across the country involved in disputes with the Waqf Board. However, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh immediately disputed this figure, arguing that the ASI “controls 172 Waqf properties in Delhi alone,” suggesting that the nationwide figure presented by the ASI was significantly understated. This disagreement sparked heated exchanges between MPs from the ruling party and the opposition, further intensifying the already charged atmosphere in the meeting.
In addition to this, several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs also voiced their opposition to some of the views expressed by an official regarding the rights of the Waqf Board. The ongoing debate on the bill has seen both opposition and ruling party members engage in a broader discussion on the role of the Waqf Board in managing and overseeing Waqf properties in India.
They raised strong objections to several key provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. One of the most contentious issues was the inclusion of non-Muslims in the Waqf Board, which these groups viewed as undermining the religious and cultural autonomy of the Waqf. They argued that the inclusion of non-Muslims could lead to a dilution of the board’s core purpose of serving the Muslim community.
The representatives also criticised other provisions of the bill, including granting excessive powers to district collectors, removing the “Waqf by users” clause, and requiring Muslims donating property to the Waqf to have a five-year practice period. The “Waqf by users” clause, which allows for properties to be declared Waqf by continuous use over time, has been a traditional means of recognising Waqf properties. The removal of this clause was seen as a threat to the preservation of many existing Waqf properties. The five-year practice period for donors was also viewed as a restriction that could discourage charitable donations to the Waqf.
Muslim organisations questioned the necessity of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill itself, with some representatives suggesting that the government’s intentions behind introducing the bill were questionable. They feared that the bill could lead to further erosion of the Waqf Board’s autonomy and reduce its ability to manage properties effectively for the benefit of the Muslim community.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. Following its introduction, Rijiju assured the House that the government was committed to ensuring a comprehensive review of the bill in Parliament, with the aim of addressing the concerns raised by various stakeholders. However, opposition MPs and Muslim organisations remain skeptical, demanding more clarity on the government’s motives behind the bill.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee has been actively reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, receiving significant public input. According to sources, the JPC has received approximately eight lakh petitions from institutions and individuals across the country, reflecting widespread public concern over the proposed amendments. These petitions, alongside the concerns raised by Muslim organisations and opposition parties, have turned the Waqf Bill into a highly contentious issue.
The JPC held its third meeting on Thursday, where officials from the Ministries of Urban Affairs, Road Transport, and Railways presented their assessments of the bill’s implications. These ministries are particularly concerned with the bill’s impact on government-owned properties and land acquisition processes, as many Waqf properties intersect with government development projects.
The ongoing deliberations over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill highlight the complexity and sensitivity of the issue, as both the government and opposition grapple with balancing public interest, religious autonomy, and legal frameworks for managing Waqf properties. With growing opposition from Muslim groups and political parties, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate the mounting pressure and whether the bill will pass in its current form.