Opposition Walks Out of Waqf Bill 2024 Meeting
On October 28, in New Delhi, opposition MPs walked out of a meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. They claimed the proceedings were biased, alleging that Ashwini Kumar, the CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board, altered the initial report without the Chief Minister’s approval. The MPs later rejoined the meeting, which included representatives from various Waqf Boards and associations to discuss the bill.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to reform the Waqf Act, 1995, addressing issues like mismanagement and corruption. It proposes digitization, stricter audits, and legal measures to reclaim properties. The joint parliamentary committee (JPC) is gathering input from various stakeholders to ensure comprehensive reforms.
Previous Meeting Tensions
In a previous meeting on October 22, a heated argument occurred between BJP MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay and Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, where Banerjee allegedly broke a glass bottle and threw it at the panel chairman, Jagdambika Pal.
Upcoming Meetings
The committee plans to meet again on October 29 to hear from the Ministry of Minority Affairs regarding the bill.
Doubts Revealed
Opposition -: In India, the opposition refers to the political parties that are not in power. They often challenge and question the decisions of the ruling party to ensure a balanced government.
Waqf -: Waqf is a religious endowment in Islam, where property or money is donated for charitable purposes. It is managed by a Waqf Board in India.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is currently the ruling party in the Indian government.
MP -: MP stands for Member of Parliament. These are elected representatives who make laws and decisions for the country.
Jagdambika Pal -: Jagdambika Pal is a politician in India and a member of the BJP. He is involved in leading meetings and discussions about laws and policies.
Ashwini Kumar -: Ashwini Kumar is likely a person involved in the Waqf Bill discussions. In this context, he is accused of changing a report without proper approval.
Waqf Act, 1995 -: The Waqf Act, 1995 is a law in India that governs the management of Waqf properties. It aims to ensure these properties are used for the intended charitable purposes.
Chief Minister -: A Chief Minister is the head of a state government in India. They have significant authority and are involved in approving important decisions and reports.
