The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, saw passionate exchanges, particularly as the Uttarakhand Waqf Board suggested a unique proposal: allocating some waqf property benefits to soldiers and their families. “When a soldier fights for the nation, he does so not as a Hindu, Muslim, or any other religion, but as a patriot,” a representative from the Uttarakhand Waqf Board stated.
This suggestion was met with opposition from MPs, who questioned why no similar provisions exist in Hindu or other religious contexts. The Uttarakhand Board responded by suggesting that they could set a new example rather than comparing it to other religions.
The Bill itself aims to address long-standing issues within the Waqf Act, 1995, including allegations of corruption and misuse of waqf properties. It seeks to introduce reforms such as digitization, transparency, and stronger audits. The Uttarakhand Waqf Board supported these reforms, advocating for a system with stricter inspections and the option for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiries in cases of suspected misuse.
Controversy also erupted over the Delhi Waqf Board’s appearance before the committee. Opposition MPs argued that the Delhi Waqf Board’s Administrator, Ashwini Kumar, had altered the original board report without consulting Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, sparking questions of validity. After a debate, the committee decided, with guidance from the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, to proceed with hearing the Delhi Waqf Board’s views without requiring state approval. Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal has since opposed the summons issued to the Delhi Waqf Board, writing to Committee Chairman Jagdambika Pal.
The session further highlighted growing political tensions. A previous meeting reportedly saw a heated exchange between BJP MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, during which Banerjee allegedly broke a glass bottle and threw it at the chairman.
Beyond the debates, the JPC meeting was attended by other key stakeholders, including the Punjab and Haryana Waqf Boards, the Waqf Tenant Welfare Association, and Call for Justice, a public advocacy group. All voiced support for the Bill, focusing on how the reforms could benefit the community.
