New Delhi, November 27, 2024 – The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, is meeting today to deliberate on amendments to the contentious bill. The opposition, led by AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, has criticized the bill as unconstitutional, alleging it undermines the Waqf Board instead of reforming it.
BJP leader V. Muraleedharan has accused Congress and Communist parties of hypocrisy, citing their differing stances on Waqf issues in Delhi and Kerala.
Since August, the JPC has reviewed inputs from six ministries, 195 organizations, and nearly 95 lakh suggestions. The proposed bill seeks to digitize Waqf records, enforce stricter audits, and reclaim encroached properties, but has faced backlash for alleged overreach.
The Waqf Act of 1995, created to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticized for corruption and mismanagement. The new bill aims to address these issues while ensuring transparency, though opposition parties demand more safeguards for community rights.
The committee’s discussions today are expected to include legal experts, government officials, and Waqf Board representatives. The outcomes could have significant implications for the bill’s progress and future Waqf property management reforms.
