Waqf Amendment Bill: JPC Seeks Clarity From Rajasthan, MP And Karnataka, Plans To Hold Stakeholder Consultations In UP, Bihar And Bengal

A parliamentary panel examining the Waqf Amendment Bill expressed dissatisfaction on Thursday over the responses given by Karnataka, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh about the status of Waqf properties in their respective states.

Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP and chairman of the Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, stated that the panel granted the representatives of the three states 15 days to submit their responses.

He added that the committee might summon them again if necessary.

The committee has sought details about the Waqf properties in states, including their registration with the government, listing of the properties by their character - waqf by user or waqf by deed, the income generated by such properties and whether their nature can be changed.

Pal noted that the committee plans to visit Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow from 18 to 20 January to engage with various stakeholders.

He also said that some members expressed interest in visiting Jammu and Kashmir, with a decision pending consultation with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

"The responses given by the delegations of the three states were not satisfactory, we have given them 15 days time to furnish the responses and will call them again if required," he said, news agency PTI reported.

Pal said these states have not furnished the responses in the format specified by the Department of Minority Affairs.

Delhi's Food and Supply Minister Imran Hussain is scheduled to address the committee on Friday, followed by the recording of evidence by the representatives of the Delhi government.

The deposition of officials from the Congress-led Karnataka government comes amidst a controversy sparked by BJP leaders’ claims that the Waqf Board was taking over more than 1,500 acres of farmland in the state.

Pal had earlier visited Karnataka, where he engaged with farmers who had received government notices regarding alleged encroachments on Waqf Board properties.

The committee had also written to state governments seeking details of Waqf properties occupied by them in an unauthorised manner as per the Sachar panel report.

In 2005, the UPA government established the Sachar Committee to examine the social, economic, and educational conditions of India’s Muslim community.

The parliamentary panel was formed on 8 August, shortly after the Waqf (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha.

Opposition parties have strongly opposed the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, claiming they infringe upon Muslims’ religious rights.

The ruling BJP, however, has argued that the amendments aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the functioning of Waqf Boards.

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