New Delhi [India], March 17: BJP Member of Parliament Jagdambika Pal criticized the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s (AIMPLB) protest against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, calling it politically motivated. Pal, who is the chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Bill, stated that the protest was premature as the bill had not even been introduced yet. He explained that the committee had only submitted a 428-page report, and the amendment bill was still in its early stages.
“This is a political protest. The act has not even been introduced yet. We have only submitted our report, and the amendment bill has been brought. They should speak after the bill is passed,” Pal said to ANI.
Pal questioned the grounds for the protest, particularly from groups like the AIMPLB, AIMIM, and Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, who gathered at Jantar Mantar to express their opposition. He added that the protestors had no basis to oppose the bill at this stage.
The BJP MP clarified that the District Magistrate (DM) would not hold any power under the bill. If there were any disputes regarding Waqf property, higher officials such as the state secretary or commissioner would address them. He emphasized that the Waqf properties themselves were being misused, with people from within the Waqf selling their land, and the amendment would protect these lands and benefit the poor.
“The DM is not going to have any rights. If there is any conflict surrounding Waqf property, it will be dealt with by officials above the DM. The amendment will stop the selling of Waqf land and will benefit the poor,” Pal added.
Earlier, the AIMPLB led a protest at Jantar Mantar, with Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas addressing the gathering. Ilyas stated that the protest was peaceful and urged the administration to support it. He further criticized the government for allegedly suppressing voices and stopping buses carrying protesters from UP and Haryana.
“This is a peaceful protest, and the administration should cooperate with us. The government should not be afraid and should listen to the voice of the people. If a government is too cowardly to listen, it has no right to rule,” said Ilyas.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi also joined the protest, expressing concerns over the amendments in the Joint Parliamentary Committee’s report. He alleged that the ruling party’s changes could result in the dissolution of the Waqf Board.