New Delhi [India], January 27: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant on Monday accused the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) of bypassing proper discussions on the amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Sawant claimed that despite objections from opposition parties, the committee approved 14 amendments without any clause-by-clause discussions.
After the JPC meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Sawant told ANI, “Clause-by-clause discussions were supposed to take place, but this was not done. Instead, they only held a vote on the amendments. No real discussion occurred. They say they will present the final draft report on January 29, which we will review. This is a clear case of democracy being undermined in Amrit Varsh.”
JPC Chairperson Jagdambika Pal responded by clarifying that the amendments were accepted through a majority vote, with 16 members supporting them and 10 opposing. He stated, “Over the past six months, 44 amendments were discussed clause-by-clause. We invited amendments from all members, and those were put to a vote. The majority voted against the opposition’s suggested amendments, which is why only 14 amendments were accepted.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to overhaul the Waqf Act of 1995 governing the management of Waqf properties in India, has sparked controversy. Opposition parties argue that it undermines the rights of Muslims and weakens India’s federal structure.
BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal defended the process, stating, “A discussion took place on all clauses. Both supporters and opponents voiced their opinions. It is unfortunate that opposition raised concerns even on clauses aimed at improving the bill.”
Opposition members, however, expressed frustration, accusing the JPC of stifling debate and rushing through the amendments. The final draft report is set to be released on January 29.
Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee criticized the proceedings, claiming that JPC Chairperson Jagdambika Pal disregarded democratic norms. “We were not allowed to speak. No rules were followed, and we did not receive the requested documents or representations. Pal dismissed all attempts for a proper discussion and pushed through the amendments in a farcical manner. This is a black day for democracy,” he said.
The approved amendments include a change in the authority responsible for determining whether a property is a Waqf property. Initially, the District Collector had this power, but the committee now proposes that a designated state government officer will make this decision. Another key amendment modifies the bill’s requirement for non-Muslim representation on State Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council, specifying that two of the nominated members must be non-Muslim.