JPC approves 14 NDA-backed amendments to Waqf Bill, rejects Opposition changes

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was referred to the committee in August 2024, met on Monday to finalize its amendments. The bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, focusing on strengthening the powers of state waqf boards, improving the survey process for waqf properties, and facilitating the removal of encroachments. The committee, which comprises 21 members, approved 14 amendments proposed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while rejecting all the amendments moved by opposition members.

Over the course of the meeting, the committee discussed 44 proposed amendments to the bill. The amendments moved by the NDA, which were all accepted, mainly dealt with issues such as better governance of waqf boards, streamlined property surveys, and more effective removal of encroachments. One key amendment involves the removal of the "Waqf by user" provision, which currently allows the legal status of waqf properties to be challenged if the property is being used for religious purposes. The new version of the bill will omit this provision, providing greater protection for such properties.

Opposition MPs, however, criticized the JPC's handling of the amendments. They moved several changes to the bill, including proposals to alter specific clauses related to the powers of waqf boards and the criteria for removing encroachments. Despite these efforts, all opposition amendments were defeated by a majority vote in the committee. The opposition members, particularly from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), accused JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal of not allowing adequate discussion of the amendments and failing to follow proper parliamentary procedures.

Kalyan Banerjee, a TMC MP, voiced strong objections to the proceedings, describing the meeting as a “farcical exercise.” He claimed that opposition members were not allowed to present their amendments properly and that the process was conducted in a "dictatorial manner." Banerjee also accused the JPC of ignoring the rules of procedure and denying the opposition an opportunity to voice their concerns. He stated, "No rules or procedures have been followed... they started clause-by-clause discussions and did not allow us to speak at all."

In response, JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal rejected the accusations, asserting that the meeting was conducted democratically and that all members had the opportunity to participate. Pal emphasized that the committee followed a transparent process, and the amendments that were adopted by a majority vote would make the bill more effective. He also stated that the amendments would improve the management of waqf properties and address the issue of encroachments more efficiently. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill addresses several issues related to the administration of waqf properties, which are designated for religious or charitable purposes.

The proposed changes aim to streamline the process of managing these properties and ensure that encroachments are removed more efficiently. The bill also seeks to make the functioning of state waqf boards more transparent and effective, allowing for better oversight of waqf property management. The JPC is expected to submit its final report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill during the Budget session of Parliament, which concludes on February 13, 2025. The bill will likely be debated further in both houses of Parliament, where it could undergo additional scrutiny and potential amendments before being passed into law.