MP Jagadambika Pal Leads Meeting on Waqf Amendment Bill 2024
New Delhi, India – The second meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, chaired by MP Jagadambika Pal, began on Thursday morning at the Parliament House Annexe. The committee has invited representatives from various Muslim organizations, including the All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Mumbai, Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, and Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf.
Jagadambika Pal stated, “We had said in the first meeting also that if the government has referred the Waqf amendment 2024 to the JPC, then we will call as many Waqf boards of the country as possible, we will also call those who are part of our minority organizations.”
The committee has also invited views and suggestions from the public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders, and institutions. Those interested in submitting written suggestions can send two copies in English or Hindi to the Joint Secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Room No. 440, Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi, or email jpcwaqflss@sansad.nic.in within 15 days from the date of the advertisement.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session of Parliament and referred to the 31-member Joint Committee of Parliament. The committee, chaired by Jagadambika Pal, includes 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The committee is expected to report on the Bill by the last day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament this year.
The government has proposed several changes in the Bill, including allowing a non-Muslim chief executive officer and at least two non-Muslim members to be appointed by the state government to the Waqf boards at the state level. It also proposes to make the District Collector the arbiter on whether a property is Waqf property or government land.
Doubts Revealed
MP -: MP stands for Member of Parliament. They are people elected by the public to represent them in the Parliament, which is where laws are made.
Jagadambika Pal -: Jagadambika Pal is a politician in India. He is a Member of Parliament and is leading the meeting about the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Waqf -: Waqf is a type of property or money given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam. It is managed by a Waqf board.
Amendment Bill -: An Amendment Bill is a proposal to change or add to an existing law. In this case, it is about changing the rules related to Waqf properties.
Parliament House Annexe -: The Parliament House Annexe is a building near the main Parliament House in New Delhi, where meetings and other official work are done.
Muslim organizations -: Muslim organizations are groups that represent the interests and concerns of Muslims. They were invited to give their opinions on the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Winter Session -: The Winter Session is a period when the Parliament meets to discuss and pass laws. It usually happens at the end of the year.
District Collector -: A District Collector is a government official in charge of administration and revenue collection in a district. They will help resolve disputes about Waqf properties.