Jagdambika Pal Discusses Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 to Help Muslims and Women
New Delhi, India – Ahead of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, Chairperson Jagdambika Pal announced that the committee will ensure maximum participation from minority organizations. The bill aims to help backward Muslims and women by ensuring that properties handed to the Waqf are used for religious or charitable purposes.
Pal emphasized the importance of discussing the bill with various stakeholders, including the chairmen of State Waqf Boards and organizations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. Representatives from the Minority Affairs Ministry and the Law Ministry will also be present during the discussions.
The parliamentary committee examining the bill includes 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The bill, introduced during the budget session, seeks to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It aims to clearly define ‘Waqf’ and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not deny inheritance rights to women.
Other key provisions include omitting ‘Waqf by user,’ assigning the Survey Commissioner’s functions to the Collector, broadening the composition of the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, and ensuring representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims. The bill also proposes establishing a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis, reforming the Tribunal structure, and providing for appeals to the High Court within ninety days.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the bill, stated that the JPC will submit its report by the last day of the first week of the winter session of Parliament.
Doubts Revealed
Jagdambika Pal -: Jagdambika Pal is an Indian politician who is currently the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). He is responsible for discussing and reviewing important bills in the parliament.
Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 -: The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is a proposed law that aims to change the existing Waqf Act, 1995. It focuses on helping Muslims and women by ensuring that properties given to the Waqf are used for religious or charitable purposes.
Waqf -: Waqf is a type of donation in Islam where a person gives property or money for religious or charitable purposes. The property is managed by a Waqf board to benefit the community.
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) -: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a group of members from both houses of the Indian Parliament. They review and discuss important bills before they become laws.
Tribunal -: A Tribunal is a special court or group that makes decisions on specific types of disputes or issues. In this context, it deals with matters related to Waqf properties.
Board of Auqaf -: The Board of Auqaf is a group that manages Waqf properties. The bill proposes to create separate boards for different Muslim communities like Boharas and Aghakhanis.
Boharas -: Boharas are a Muslim community in India, known for their distinct cultural and religious practices. They are also called Dawoodi Bohras.
Aghakhanis -: Aghakhanis are followers of the Aga Khan, a title given to the spiritual leader of a group of Shia Muslims known as Nizari Ismailis.
Inheritance rights -: Inheritance rights refer to the legal rights of people to receive property or money from their family members after they pass away. The bill aims to ensure that women have fair inheritance rights.
Winter session -: The winter session is a period when the Indian Parliament meets to discuss and pass laws. It usually happens in November and December.
