Waqf (Amendment) bill 2024: Key reforms for transparency, social justice to be presented in parliament

Delhi: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, led by Jagdambika Pal, is scheduled to be presented in Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session on Monday. This significant bill, designed to introduce reforms in the Waqf Act of 1995, has been eagerly anticipated. BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, who chairs the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), will present the final report, along with Sanjay Jaiswal, in both Hindi and English versions. The report includes a record of the evidence submitted before the committee that informed its decision-making process. Recently, Pal met with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to present the final draft of the committee's findings.

Key Provisions of the Amended Waqf Bill

Pal, speaking to the media, emphasized a major change in the amended bill: for the first time, the report includes a provision ensuring that the benefits of Waqf properties are directed towards marginalized communities such as the poor, women, and orphans. He explained, "We have adopted the report and the amended revised bill. For the first time, we have included a section stating that the benefits of Waqf should go to the marginalized, poor, women, and orphans." This inclusion marks a significant shift toward social justice within the bill.

The committee, after thorough deliberations, reviewed 44 clauses of the bill. Among these, amendments were proposed in 14 clauses, which were then passed following a majority vote. Pal stated, "We had 44 clauses before us, out of which amendments were proposed by members in 14 clauses. We conducted a majority vote, and these amendments were then adopted."

Opposition Dissent: Asaduddin Owaisi’s Redacted Note

While the bill has garnered significant attention, it has not been without controversy. Opposition leaders, particularly AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, have raised concerns about the handling of dissenting opinions. Owaisi claimed that parts of his dissent note, which critiqued the bill, were redacted without his consent. He expressed his shock on social media, stating, "I had submitted a detailed dissent note to JPC against Waqf Bill. It is shocking that parts of my note were redacted without my knowledge. The deleted sections were not controversial, they only stated facts."

Owaisi also criticized Jagdambika Pal for suppressing opposition voices despite the fact that the JPC chairperson had achieved the outcome he desired. These accusations have sparked a debate about the transparency and inclusiveness of the parliamentary process.

Aims of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

The primary objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is to tackle long-standing issues surrounding the management of Waqf properties, which have been plagued by mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The bill proposes reforms aimed at digitizing Waqf records, conducting more stringent audits, enhancing transparency, and introducing legal measures to reclaim illegally occupied properties.

The Parliament Budget Session and Future Steps

The ongoing Budget session of Parliament, which began on January 31, will continue until April 4, 2025, in two phases. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will likely be one of the key discussions during this session, with the potential to shape the future of Waqf property management and benefit distribution in India.