Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Amid ongoing political debate surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, has firmly asserted that the proposed legislation is a necessary reform. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is poised to convene for its inaugural meeting on Thursday to deliberate on the Bill, which was introduced by the Modi government during the recent Parliament session.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, holds significant importance for the BJP, with party strategists pushing for its passage in the forthcoming Winter Session of Parliament. However, much depends on the outcomes of the JPC’s deliberations, particularly in terms of securing support from opposition parties and coalition allies, including Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Naqvi emphasized the imperative for reform within the Waqf Board system, arguing that the existing framework must transcend ‘touch me not’ politics. He stated that the government’s objective in introducing this Bill is to enhance the efficacy and accountability of the Waqf system, a sentiment he believes should be universally recognized.
Addressing the concerns raised by opposition parties and certain allies, Naqvi highlighted that the amendment of Waqf laws is not unprecedented, referencing previous amendments enacted during the tenure of the Congress and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He advocated for a comprehensive debate, stressing that the Bill’s referral to the JPC is intended to facilitate an in-depth examination of its provisions, allowing for an open-minded discussion of all perspectives.
Naqvi also dismissed attempts to portray the Bill as a communal issue, asserting that the proposed amendments are not targeted at any specific community. He emphasized that both Hindus and Muslims have a vested interest in the matter, and it is crucial for this to be clearly communicated to all stakeholders.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in the Lok Sabha on August 8, has garnered support from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, including the Janata Dal (United), TDP, and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. TDP Member of Parliament Ganti Harish Madhur has indicated his party’s willingness to endorse the Bill’s referral to a parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.
In response to demands from both allies and opposition parties, the government has consented to send the Bill to the JPC for detailed examination. The committee, comprising 31 members—21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha—includes representatives from various political factions, including the opposition.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal has been appointed as the Chairman of the JPC. The committee’s first meeting, scheduled for August 22, will feature presentations from officials of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, who will provide an overview of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and its proposed amendments. Legal experts from the Department of Legislative and Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice will also attend to elucidate the Bill’s legal nuances.
Upon conclusion of its discussions, the JPC is expected to submit its report on the final day of the first week of the next Parliament session.
