Waqf Amendment Bill: JPC Approves 14 Amendments, Opposition Reacts Strongly

The meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill ended with the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members securing the passage of all 14 amendments they proposed. The opposition's amendments were rejected outright. The committee's chairperson, Jagdambika Pal, said that the adopted amendments would make the law more effective and of better quality.
Opposition Reacts to the Meeting Process
While the NDA was jubilant over the outcome, the opposition members came out strongly protesting the way the meeting was conducted. They alleged that the committee went against democratic values. Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee criticized the meeting as a "farce," saying their voices were not heard and the whole process was autocratic. But Jagdambika Pal rejected all the allegations raised by the opposition, saying that the whole process was democratic and reflected the wishes of the majority.
Important changes and amendments of the Waqf Bill
The most major amendments adopted by the committee includes the deletion of the section that allowed challenge to the 'user-based' classification of the Waqf properties. In the existing legislation, this particular clause was expected to be controversial. The other amendments accepted from the NDA include all those proposed 14 sections of the bill. The opposition has brought hundreds of amendments across 44 sections, but all these were rejected post voting.
The Path Forward for the Waqf Bill
With these changes now passed, the Waqf Amendment Bill is expected to become a stronger, more effective tool for the regulation and management of Waqf properties. Despite the opposition's vocal criticism, the ruling party believes the amendments will lead to more effective administration and fairness in the treatment of Waqf assets.
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Further controversies surrounding the Bill's approval seem to imply debates ahead for its progression because both parties now prepare themselves for the next round of legislation in the bill process.