Jagadambika Pal, BJP MP and Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has strongly criticized the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for its planned protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill at Jantar Mantar, Delhi, on March 17, 2025.
Pal stated that AIMPLB had already presented its concerns before the JPC, and those concerns were duly considered in the committee’s final report.
Pal Accuses AIMPLB of Divisive Politics
Speaking to ANI, Pal accused AIMPLB of trying to mislead the public and create unnecessary divisions over the Bill.
“If they are going to protest against this Waqf amendment, they are trying to create hatred and challenge Parliament’s right to legislate… This step taken by them is not democratic,” he said.
Pal also emphasized that the new amendments would benefit marginalized sections, including women, widows, and children.
AIMPLB’s Response: Protest Against Government’s Intentions
AIMPLB spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas argued that the government’s real agenda was to create Hindu-Muslim divisions and instigate unrest in the country.
- AIMPLB had initially planned the protest for March 13 but rescheduled it due to Holi and the absence of MPs.
- Various political leaders and supporters from different communities are expected to join the demonstration.
- Ilyas refuted the government’s claim that Waqf properties enjoy special protection, saying the Bill would strip unregistered religious properties of their Waqf status.
AIMPLB General Secretary Mujaddidi: ‘We Had No Option Left’
AIMPLB General Secretary Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi said the Board had exhausted all democratic avenues to engage with the government but was ignored.
“The government wants to impose this amendment on us at any cost. We do not want conflicts, but they are pushing for it. This amendment is against the country,” Mujaddidi warned.
He also claimed that the government was misleading Hindus into believing that Waqf properties were given undue privileges.
Understanding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Waqf Act of 1995 was originally enacted to regulate Waqf properties, but over time, it faced criticism for corruption, encroachment issues, and mismanagement.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by the BJP-led government, seeks to:
✅ Digitize Waqf properties for better transparency
✅ Enhance audits and financial accountability
✅ Introduce stricter laws to reclaim illegally occupied Waqf lands
✅ Prevent misuse of unregistered properties under ‘Waqf by user’
However, AIMPLB believes that these changes could strip many religious properties of their Waqf status, leading to conflicts over mosques, dargahs, and burial grounds.
Political & Social Repercussions
With AIMPLB’s protest scheduled for March 17, the political battle over the Bill is intensifying. While BJP insists on reforms, opposition voices argue that the amendment could marginalize Muslim communities.
The coming days will determine whether the government and AIMPLB find common ground or if the protests escalate into a broader political conflict.