Waqf Bill: Opposition Rejects Joint Parliamentary Committee Report Tabled In Rajy Sabha Today
New Delhi: Amid strong opposition, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) panel tabled its report on the Waqf (Amendment) bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The panel had earlier rejected amendments made by the opposition members. The Upper House witnessed continuous uproar over the controversial bill, which has been slammed for its unwanted interference in the functioning of Waqf boards.
Since the bill was introduced in August last year, it has been facing criticisms from political parties and Muslim bodies, calling the bill an attack on the constitutional rights of the Muslim community.
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However, the introduction of the JPC report has led to the adjournment of the session till 11:20 am. The JPC committee adopted its report on the draft legislation by a 15-11 majority vote, which reportedly included changes suggested by BJP members while rejecting the opposition members’ demands.
After the session resumed, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has asked the chair to reject JPC report on Waqf Bill, terming it ‘anti-democratic’.
When the bill was introduced in August last year, the opposition MPs submitted dissent notes, lambasting the bill and forcing it to be sent to JPC. The government has argued that the bill aims to bring modernity and transparency. The government claims amendments have been criticized for inefficacy, leading to issues like encroachment, mismanagement, ownership disputes, and delays in registration and surveys.
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However, several provisions of the bill have been said to be controversial meant to dismantle the foundation of the Waqf Bill. The provisions that met with opposition consists the Inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Board, the empowerment of district collectors to determine ownership of disputed Waqf properties, one of the most contentious provision, among others.
