Centre announces Joint Parl Committee on new Waqf Board bill, a first since 2019

The Central government has formed a 21-member Joint Parliamentary Committee to review the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This comes a day after it was proposed that the bill should be sent to the committee for it to look over. The Waqf Amendment Bill has stirred controversy in the parliament with the Opposition labeling it ‘draconian’ and ‘anti-Muslim’.

The NDA-led central government tabled the bill in Lok Sabha on August 8, the first significant legislation introduced by Modi 3.0 cabinet since its formation in June. The bill quickly drew strong criticism from the INDIA bloc for it being ‘draconian’ in nature.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, if passed, will see important changes in how the Waqf Board functions. The bill to amend the law governing Waqf boards proposes far-reaching changes in the Wakf Act, of 1995, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.

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Who all are on the committee?

The committee has members from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. It also includes key leaders from the Opposition including AIMIM’s Asadudding Owaisi, Congress’ Gaurav Gogoi and Imran Masood.

Other members include Jagdambika Pal, Nishikant Dubey, Tesjasvi Surya, Aparajita Sarangi, Sanjay Jaiswal, Dilip Saikia, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, etc.

The Opposition has strongly protested against the introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, with several INDIA bloc MPs calling it an attack on the Constitution and aimed at targeting Muslims.

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With inputs from agencies