Parliament Winter Session: No Waqf Bill this time, JPC seeks more time to consult stakeholders amid Govt-Oppn faceoff

Parliament Winter Session: The contentious bill to amend the Waqf Act will not be taken up in this session of Parliament as the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) set up to scrutinise it on Thursday sought an extension of its November 29 deadline to present its report. The Lok Sabha adopted the motion seeking the extension of the deadline.

The JPC has sought the new deadline to be the last day of the next Budget Session of Parliament following a stormy meeting of the panel marked by a brief walkout from opposition members on November 27. The JPC finally took a unanimous decision to seek more time to finalise its report.

JPC chairman and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, Jagdambika Pal moved the motion in Lok Sabha on Thursday which was instantly adopted by the lower house. On November 27, Pal said opposition members on the panel had been seeking an extension of the term of the joint committee on the Waqf Bill to listen to more stakeholders.

The Winter Session of Parliament began November 25. The session, that will end on December 20, was marred by ruckus for three days in a row with the opposition members demanding a discussion on Sambhal violence, Manipur crisis and bribery charges against the Adani Group. The proceedings of both the houses were adjourned for the day on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. There was no business scheduled on Tuesday due to Constitution Day events.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led union government had listed 16 bills, including the Waqf Act Amendment Bill, for the session. Five bills have been listed for introduction, consideration and passage, while 10 are for consideration and passage, according to the bulletin of the Lok Sabha.

Contentious Bill

Opposition MPs walked out of the JPC meeting on Wednesday, citing concerns that the committee had left many state boards unheard. The protesting members accused Pal of asserting that the panel's draft report was ready. 

Temperatures cooled down after Pal and the BJP members of the committee reached out to them, indicating their willingness to press for an extension of the deadline of November 29 to submit its report to Lok Sabha.

"Today, Nishikant Dubey and other members raised that we have to invite and hear some other stakeholders, state officials...So, we feel that we should extension...I will consider this and then we will bring a resolution before Lok Sabha tomorrow or the day after," Pal said.

Speaking to the media after leaving the meeting, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said many stakeholders wanted to give their views. The committee is now expected to visit a few states to meet different stakeholders.

Sweeping Reforms

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to introduce sweeping reforms, including digitisation, stricter audits, greater transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.

The Waqf bill was on the agenda of the government in the winter session. The panel, constituted in last session, was tasked to give its report by the last day of the first week of this session.

The controversial Bill, introduced in the Monsoon session of Parliament, aims to curtail the powers of the Waqf board, among others. Its introduction led to a ruckus in the house, and the Bill was then sent to a JPC for wider scrutiny.

Opposition parties have criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging that they violate the religious rights of Muslims. The ruling BJP has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency in the functioning of the Waqf boards and make them accountable.

(With inputs from agencies)