JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has accepted 32 amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, amidst opposition complaints of their voices being ignored. Over 500 amendments were proposed, but only those from the BJP and its allies, who held the majority, were accepted.

Key Amendments and Provisions

• Waqf by User:
  Initially proposed for removal, it will now remain, except for properties in "dispute or government facilities." These properties must be registered before the new law takes effect.
• Dispute Inquiries:
  Instead of the District Collector, a state-designated officer above the collector's rank will handle inquiries into disputes, addressing impartiality concerns.
• Non-Muslim Inclusion:
  The amendment allows two non-Muslim members on the Waqf Board, potentially increasing to four, despite opposition objections.
• Property Declaration:
  Waqf properties must declare details online within six months. The "Mutawalli" can extend this period with tribunal approval.
• Legal Expertise:
  The inclusion of a person knowledgeable in Muslim law as a tribunal member was proposed and accepted.

Controversial Clauses and Opposition Reactions

• Opposition Amendments:
  They attempted to delete 28 clauses to revert to the 1995 Act and opposed separate Waqf Boards for sects like Aghakhani and Bohra.
• Non-Muslim Donations:
  A clause allowing non-Muslims to donate to Waqf was opposed by the opposition.
• Opposition Grievances:
  Complaints include lack of discussion, minutes not being provided, and procedural departures, with 95% stakeholder opposition noted.

Committee's Activities

• Sittings and Consultations:
  The committee had 36 sittings, meeting with 25 Waqf Boards and representatives from 15 states, receiving over 92 lakh emails from stakeholders.

The panel is set to finalize its report following these deliberations.