Synopsis
As the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 prepares to present its report, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari criticizes the rejection of all Opposition amendments, highlighting the government's unilateral approach and questioning the purpose of the JPC.Key Takeaways
- Opposition amendments to the Waqf Bill were all rejected.
- Pramod Tiwari raises concerns over the JPC's effectiveness.
- Allegations of censorship on dissent notes have surfaced.
- The report is poised to provoke further debate in Parliament.
- The ruling party defends the Bill as necessary for Waqf management.
New Delhi, Feb 2 (NationPress) As the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set to unveil its report in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Opposition leaders have expressed strong disapproval regarding the proceedings.
Per the List of Business, Jagdambika Pal, Chair of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) concerning the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, along with BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal, will present the report in both Hindi and English. The committee will also document the evidence submitted to it.
In response, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari criticized the government's approach towards the Bill, claiming that suggestions from Opposition members were dismissed.
"Before the Waqf Bill is even presented, there is chaos. Out of 44 proposed amendments, not a single one from the Opposition was taken into account," Tiwari stated.
"What was the purpose of forming the JPC if they disregarded even one of our proposals? They have turned down all Opposition amendments while accepting those from the ruling party," he informed IANS.
"It appears the government is resolute in pushing through its agenda. Once the Bill is presented in the Lok Sabha, we will review it and respond appropriately," he added.
The JPC submitted its final report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30. On that same day, Jagdambika Pal personally met the Speaker to deliver the document.
The committee ratified the draft report and the revised Bill on January 29, after which Opposition leaders filed dissent notes.
Additionally, on Saturday, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain alleged that portions of his dissent note had been censored without his consent.
Expressing his discontent, Hussain wrote on X, "As a Member of the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, I submitted a comprehensive dissent note opposing the Bill. Astonishingly, sections of my dissent note have been censored without my knowledge!"
Condemning what he termed an attempt to stifle opposition voices, he remarked, "The Joint Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 has already been reduced to a farce, but now they have sunk even lower—censoring dissenting voices of Opposition MPs! What are they so afraid of? Why this effort to silence us?"
The JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill on Wednesday approved the draft of the Bill, incorporating 14 amendments proposed by members of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The JPC Chairperson confirmed that the amendments were adopted by a majority vote, with 16 members in favor of the changes and 10 against them.
The Opposition has accused the ruling party of utilizing the Bill to undermine the independence of Waqf boards and infringe upon the constitutional rights of the Muslim community.
Conversely, BJP members defend the Bill, asserting that it aims to introduce modernity, transparency, and accountability to the management of Waqf properties.
They argue that the amendments are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the boards and preventing the misuse of Waqf assets.
The report, which is set to be presented in Parliament on Monday, is expected to ignite further debate, as the Bill and its provisions are anticipated to be discussed.
