Heated exchanges at first Waqf JPC meet; next meet on August 30

The first meeting of the joint parliamentary committee on Waqf (amendment) bill witnessed heated exchanges between the ruling and Opposition MPs, especially regarding the provision to allow non-Muslims to become members of Waqf boards and giving additional power to district collectors. BJP's allies took a cautious stand and underlined the need to protect the interests of minorities in the draft legislation.

The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for August 30 when it will start consultations with various stakeholders including Waqf boards, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, other bodies of different Muslim sects such as Shias, Bohras etc.

At the meeting, which lasted for more than six hours, the main objections raised by the Opposition MPs were to several provisions of the bill. A contentious provision of the bill is the proposal to designate the district collector as the primary authority in determining whether a property is classified as Waqf or government land.


Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee, Sanjay Singh of AAP, Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM and A Raja of DMK raised questions to officials from the Minority Affairs Ministry. Owaisi cautioned the bill "could create social unrest witnessed during 1990s".

According to some of them, there was a view among MPs that the ministry was not "adequately prepared" to address the queries raised.

Committee chairperson Jagdambika Pal assured that the panel would speak to all stakeholders. Pal said anyone can give their suggestions. For this, an advertisement will be issued via newspapers and other media. LJP (RV) MP Arun Bharti said the interests of Muslims need to be protected. TDP's Lavu Devarayalu sought clarification on several provisions in the bill.

The 31-member panel has been tasked to scrutinise the bill that has drawn protests from the Opposition and Muslim bodies. "We will discuss all the 44 amendments and bring a good and comprehensive bill by the next session," Pal said before the meeting.