Jagdambika Pal Defends Waqf Amendment Bill Study Tours
In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman Jagdambika Pal addressed concerns regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill study tours. He clarified that not all committee members need to attend every meeting or tour due to other commitments. Pal emphasized that the tours aim to facilitate informal discussions with stakeholders like the administration, waqf board, and minority commissions.
Pal noted that since the JPC’s formation, notices from the Karnataka Waqf Board to farmers have increased by 38%. He criticized the Congress-led Karnataka government for overstepping its authority by establishing Waqf tribunals in every district. During his visit to Karnataka on November 7, Pal attended a protest in Vijayapura against alleged land grabs by the Waqf Board.
Another JPC member, Brij Lal, accused opposition MPs of disrupting meetings for political reasons. He stated that the Waqf Amendment Bill aims to prevent land grabbing by transferring certain powers to the Collector. Meanwhile, Congress MP Jaiwaid criticized the study tours, claiming that dissenting opinions were ignored, leading to a boycott by some members.
Doubts Revealed
Jagdambika Pal -: Jagdambika Pal is an Indian politician who is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Waqf Amendment Bill -: The Waqf Amendment Bill is a proposed change to the laws governing Waqf properties in India. Waqf properties are lands or assets donated for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Study Tours -: Study tours are trips taken by committee members to gather information and have discussions with people who are affected by the bill. These tours help the committee understand different viewpoints before making decisions.
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee is a group of members from both houses of the Indian Parliament. They come together to discuss and examine specific issues or bills, like the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Karnataka government -: The Karnataka government is the state government of Karnataka, a state in southern India. It is responsible for making and enforcing laws within the state.
Waqf tribunals -: Waqf tribunals are special courts that deal with disputes related to Waqf properties. They ensure that the properties are used according to the rules and intentions of the donors.
Brij Lal -: Brij Lal is a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill. He is involved in the discussions and decision-making process regarding the bill.
Opposition MPs -: Opposition MPs are members of parliament who belong to political parties that are not in power. They often challenge and question the decisions of the ruling party.
Congress MP Jaiwaid -: Congress MP Jaiwaid is a member of the Indian National Congress, a major political party in India. He is involved in the discussions about the Waqf Amendment Bill and has expressed concerns about the study tours.
