JPC Clears Waqf Bill; Approves 14 Amendments, Rejects 44 by Oppn

Oppn MPs Say 'Draconian' Character to Remain Despite Examination

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A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Monday cleared the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill which seeks to make 44 amendments to the way Muslim charitable properties are managed in the country.

Opposition MPs proposed amendments in all 44 clauses of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, seeking to mostly restore the provisions of the current Act, and claimed that the law proposed by the parliamentary committee in its report would maintain the Bill's "draconian" character and the bid to interfere in the religious affairs of Muslims.

While the accepted amendments make some concessions to Muslim bodies criticising the Bill, including leaving it to Waqf boards to decide on welfare measures for widows and orphans, among others, instead of mandating it by law, a few of them may further irk the critics.

The meeting of the JPC, headed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, was again marked by noisy protests by opposition members, who accused him of “subverting” democratic process.

The panel is set to adopt its report on Wednesday with MPs of opposition parties such as the Congress, TMC, DMK and the AIMIM expected to give their dissent. The JPC has 16 MPs from the BJP or allied parties and only 10 from the opposition.