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The Joint Parliamentary Committee has cleared the Waqf amendment bill with 14 changes, sparking opposition protests over rule violations and the removal of key clauses.
JPC Approves Waqf Amendment Bill
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has passed the proposed Waqf amendment bill, which was introduced in Parliament in August last year. A significant change includes the removal of the ‘Waqf by user’ clause, which previously allowed questioning existing Waqf properties based on usage. This decision aims to make the law more effective, according to JPC chairman Ja Pal.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Amendments
During the JPC meeting, opposition members moved amendments to all 44 clauses of the bill, but their proposals were defeated by a vote. Opposition leaders claimed the rules were not followed during the process, criticizing the manner in which the amendments were adopted by the ruling BJP-led NDA members.
Key Changes in the Waqf Law
The 14 amendments introduced by the NDA aim to streamline the existing law, with the committee emphasizing that the revisions will improve its efficiency. Despite opposition protests, the bill now moves closer to becoming law, pending further approval in Parliament.