BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi Discusses Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, emphasized the committee’s dedication to considering all opinions and ideologies from various organizations and individuals. Since its formation on August 9, 2024, the JPC has held 25 meetings, engaging with 47 organizations across different states. Sarangi stated, “Every opinion must be respected; every ideology must be respected.” The JPC aims to present its report to Parliament by the end of the first week of the winter session, scheduled from November 25 to December 20, 2024.
The committee is conducting meetings with government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members, and community representatives to ensure comprehensive reform. The JPC is visiting five cities, including Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow, from November 9 to November 14, to examine the bill. Recently, Jagdambika Pal, the JPC chairman, led a meeting in Guwahati, Assam, with representatives from the Assam government, the state waqf board, and other stakeholders. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha in August, aims to address issues of mismanagement and corruption by introducing digitization, stricter audits, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is known for its nationalist policies and is currently the ruling party in India.
MP -: MP stands for Member of Parliament. In India, MPs are elected representatives who make laws and discuss important issues in the Parliament.
Aparajita Sarangi -: Aparajita Sarangi is a politician in India and a Member of Parliament from the BJP. She is involved in discussing and reviewing laws like the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Waqf -: Waqf is a religious endowment in Islam, where property or money is donated for religious or charitable purposes. It is managed by a board to ensure it is used properly.
Amendment Bill -: An Amendment Bill is a proposal to change or improve an existing law. In this case, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to update the Waqf Act of 1995.
Joint Parliamentary Committee -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a group of members from both houses of the Indian Parliament. They work together to study and discuss specific issues or bills.
Transparency -: Transparency means being open and clear about actions and decisions. In the context of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, it means making sure the management of waqf properties is clear and honest.
Illegally occupied properties -: Illegally occupied properties are lands or buildings that are being used or lived in without permission or legal rights. The bill aims to reclaim such properties that belong to waqf.
