The Waqf (Amendment) Bill Sparks Controversy in Parliament

The NDA government on Thursday presented the report of the joint committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, leading to a massive uproar from the Opposition parties. The report had already been submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30.

Opposition’s Outcry Against the Report

Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, strongly rejected the report, stating that the party "will never accept such reports." He alleged that dissent notes from multiple MPs were removed from the proceedings, calling it an undemocratic move. Kharge demanded that the report be sent back to the JPC and presented again after incorporating the dissent notes. "If the government does anything unconstitutional, we will raise our voice against injustice in the interest of the country," he stated on social media platform X.

Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the opposition remains united against the bill. "There may be some parties from the ruling side which might be with us on this," she said, indicating possible internal disagreements within the ruling alliance.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant also criticized the process, alleging that clause-by-clause discussions never took place in the JPC meetings. "The JPC chairman should be asked if the answers given by the witnesses were shared with the members. No, they were not. Clause-by-clause discussions were never held. Because of this, we gave a dissent note, which was later removed," Sawant claimed.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev added her voice to the opposition, stating that dissenting opinions had been censored using black ink or white paper. "If we consider this country a democracy, then everyone's opinion must be visible. How can you hide our opinions?" she questioned.

BJP’s Defense of the Report

On the other hand, the BJP defended the report. BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, a JPC member, maintained that the 655-page report was prepared meticulously. "The government of PM Narendra Modi wants proper management of Waqf properties... Jagdambika Pal has included the notes of the Opposition who were a part of the JPC... It is with a noble cause that PM Modi's government has brought this amendment," she asserted.

Congress MP KC Venugopal, however, criticized the JPC’s conduct, labeling the process as flawed. The JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill had adopted the draft report and the amended bill on January 29, but opposition leaders’ dissent notes were later expunged from the final version.

Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

The Waqf Act of 1995 was enacted to regulate Waqf properties but has faced persistent criticism over issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to introduce reforms, including:

Digitization of Waqf records to enhance transparency.
Stricter audits and financial oversight to curb corruption.
Legal mechanisms for reclaiming illegally occupied Waqf properties.
Improved management structures to ensure accountability.

Despite the opposition’s concerns, the government is pushing ahead with the bill, claiming that it will ensure better governance of Waqf properties. However, with the dissenting voices growing louder, the political battle over the bill is far from over.

As the debate intensifies, all eyes are on the Parliament to see whether the government will heed the opposition’s demand to reconsider the report or push forward with the bill in its current form.

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