New Delhi [India]: On the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to be constituted for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Thursday said that the government’s motives are “malicious and suspicious.”
“This is a halfway positive measure but still the government’s motives are malicious and suspicious. Let the JPC be formed, and let’s see the members of the committee. All issues will be discussed in the committee. All contentious legislation must go to the committee. The committee can go through the pros and cons of everything,” Chidambaram told ANI.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to “effectively address” issues related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments, was introduced in Lok Sabha.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which amends the Waqf Act, 1995, was introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Opposition parties including the Congress, DMK, NCP, Trinamool Congress and AIMIM strongly opposed the introduction of the bill, saying its provisions were against federalism and the constitutional provisions. While some members demanded the withdrawal of the bill, many suggested that should be sent to a standing committee.
Rijijiu agreed to the suggestions for further scrutiny of the bill by a parliamentary committee.
“We are not running away anywhere. So, if this has to be referred to any committee, I would like to speak on behalf of my govt – a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) be formed, this Bill be referred to it & detailed discussion be held,” he said.
Rijijiu gave a detailed reply to the points raised by opposition parties and said the government was acting on recommendations made by a panel constituted when the Congress-led UPA government was in power.