The Winter Session of Parliament has seen heated debates, with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, emerging as a focal point of controversy. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is set to meet today to discuss potential amendments to the proposed bill, which aims to overhaul the governance of Waqf properties. Opposition parties, led by AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, have raised concerns, calling the bill a “grave violation” of constitutional rights under Article 26. Meanwhile, BJP leaders argue that the amendments are essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in the Waqf system. The bill proposes digitisation, stricter audits, and legal mechanisms to reclaim encroached Waqf properties, amidst longstanding allegations of mismanagement and corruption.

AIMIM Chief Owaisi and other opposition members have urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to extend the JPC’s tenure to allow for more comprehensive discussions. They allege that the bill’s real intention is to undermine the Waqf Board instead of strengthening it. On the other hand, BJP leader V. Muraleedharan has criticised the Congress and Communist parties for their stance, accusing them of playing a “double game.” He highlighted instances in Kerala where non-Muslim communities are protesting against perceived encroachments by the Waqf Board, alleging unjust notices served to landowners.

Since its inception in August, the JPC has reviewed input from six ministries, 195 organisations, and over 95 lakh suggestions. The committee has held meetings across the country to consult government officials, legal experts, and community representatives. As the bill moves forward, its supporters see it as a much-needed reform to modernise and regulate Waqf properties, while critics question its implications for minority rights and property ownership.