Parliamentary panel on Waqf Bill adopts draft report amid Opposition dissent

The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill adopted its draft report on the contentious legislation on Wednesday, with a majority vote.

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Committee Chairman Jagdambika Pal stated that 14 members voted in favour, while 11 opposition members opposed the report, alleging that their proposed amendments were ignored. They later submitted dissent notes in the final report.

The panel currently has 30 members following the recent resignation of YSR Congress MP V Vijayasai Reddy from the Rajya Sabha.

Earlier, the committee had circulated a 655-page report incorporating all suggestions from members. Addressing concerns that existing Waqf properties might come under scrutiny after the amendment, the panel recommended that no retrospective cases be reopened against such properties, unless they are disputed or government-owned. The committee accepted 14 amendments, all proposed by the BJP or its allies.

The Bill introduces several changes to the Waqf Board administration, including the nomination of non-Muslim members and at least two women. It also proposes restructuring the Central Waqf Council, which would now include a union minister, three MPs, two former judges, four persons of national repute, senior government officials, none of whom need to be from the Islamic faith.

Additionally, the Bill bars the Waqf Council from claiming land under the new provisions.

Opposition leaders criticised the committee, arguing that insufficient time was given to study the draft report.