The Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will convene on December 26 and 27 to record oral evidence from state representatives as part of its ongoing deliberations on the proposed legislation.
During these sessions, the Committee will hear from representatives of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan on December 26, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Delhi on December 27.
On Thursday, the JPC met with Muslim representatives from Lucknow and Rajasthan. After the meeting, Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Committee, said, “The former Vice Chancellor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow, and the former Chairman of the Rajasthan Waqf Board presented their proposed amendments. There was a clause-by-clause discussion, with MPs also posing questions.”
Among the attendees were Syed Abubakar Naqvi, the former Chairman and State Minister of the Rajasthan Waqf Board, and Prof. Mahrukh Mirza, the former Vice Chancellor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the JPC engaged with members of the All India Shia Personal Law Board to hear their views on the Bill.
Recently, the Lok Sabha approved a motion to extend the JPC’s tenure on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, mandating the presentation of their report by the end of the 2025 Budget Session.
On December 5, Jagdambika Pal noted that the Committee had held 27 meetings in Delhi before the extension of its tenure. These meetings involved discussions with various stakeholders and government ministries.
The Waqf Act of 1995, which governs Waqf properties, has faced long-standing criticisms for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to address these concerns by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.
The JPC is conducting extensive consultations with government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives from various states and Union Territories to ensure a comprehensive overhaul of the legislation.
(Inputs from ANI)
