The Centre’s decision to refer the Waqf Board Law Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has been met with support from NDA allies including the Janata Dal (United) leaders. Following a robust defence by Union Minister and JDU leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, the party clarified its position on the Waqf Board Law Amendment Bill on Friday. Bihar’s Water Resources Minister and JDU leader Vijay Chaudhary expressed his support for the bill and welcomed the Centre’s decision to refer it to the JPC. Chaudhary noted that the Waqf Board Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament on August 8 and has since been sent to the JPC upon the Centre’s request. He described this move as both appropriate and commendable.
Chaudhary further explained that the bill’s introduction had sparked concern and confusion among Muslims. Referring the bill to the JPC, he said, was a positive step that would allow for a thorough examination and parliamentary review. He anticipated that members of the minority community would now have the opportunity to provide their input to the committee. Under JDU’s leadership and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s guidance, Chaudhary assured that the bill would be handled with sensitivity towards minority issues and expressed confidence that it would face no further controversy once it returned from the JPC.
Sources revealed that the Centre’s decision to refer the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024 to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was made after significant consultations with NDA allies. Key figures, including Nitish Kumar, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader and Union Minister Chirag Paswan, and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu, were instrumental in advocating for this move. Their involvement aimed to clarify the bill’s intent and address concerns within the Muslim community, thereby preventing any confusion or misinterpretation.
The decision reflected a broader consensus within the NDA, with Nitish Kumar playing a crucial role. Known for his liberal stance on minority issues, Kumar’s approach seeks to avoid any appearance of communal bias. Recent interactions with Muslim leaders further underscored his commitment to addressing their concerns, which influenced the Centre’s decision to accommodate the allies’ requests without hindrance. This strategy has helped deflect opposition attempts to politicise the issue and ensured a more transparent process.
On August 8, during a parliamentary debate on the Waqf Board Amendment Bill, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, strongly countered the opposition’s allegations that the bill was anti-Muslim. Singh, a close ally of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, defended the bill, asserting that its purpose was to promote transparency rather than target any religious community. Singh criticised the opposition for suggesting that the bill discriminated against Muslims, arguing that such claims were unfounded. He emphasised that comparisons with temple or gurudwara management were not appropriate, asserting that the bill aimed to introduce greater transparency into Waqf Board operations. Singh also called for a clear understanding of the bill’s intent and reassured that it was designed to ensure accountability within the Waqf Board, and not to undermine any community.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh strongly rebutted the opposition’s claims regarding the Waqf Board Bill, asserting that there is no intention to interfere with mosques. He emphasised that the bill aimed to introduce transparency to institutions created by law, not to target any religious community. Singh argued that the bill was designed to ensure accountability within the Waqf Board, and criticised the opposition for drawing unfounded comparisons with temple management to create confusion. He asserted that the bill’s purpose was to address autocratic practices within any legally-established institution and to enhance transparency, without any religious bias. Singh’s defence solidified JDU’s support for the bill. With the bill now being referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), the Centre has an opportunity to build further support and address any remaining concerns.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan also addressed opposition allegations concerning the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating that the opposition’s focus on why the bill is being introduced now was misplaced, as the bill had only been presented and not yet passed. He accused the opposition of attempting to create confusion and fear among Muslims by falsely portraying the bill as anti-Muslim. Paswan clarified that the bill aimed to enhance transparency within the Waqf Board, not to discriminate against any community. He assured that his perspective on the bill would be thoroughly presented to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Paswan also noted that the bill had been under development for some time and that any suggestions of political motivation due to upcoming elections were unfounded.
What is the Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024?
The Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024 introduces several key changes to the management of Waqf properties. The bill mandates that all Waqf properties must be registered with the District Collector’s Office for evaluation. It specifies that any government property identified or declared as Waqf property before or after the Act’s implementation will not be classified as Waqf property. Under the bill, the District Collector will serve as the final authority in determining whether a property is Waqf or government land. The Collector’s decision will be conclusive, and any necessary adjustments to revenue records will be made based on this determination. The bill also stipulates that a property will not be recognised as Waqf’s until the Collector’s report is submitted to the state government.
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