One of the focal points of contention revolves around the JPC chairman’s upcoming visit to Karnataka to meet with farmers reportedly holding Waqf land
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The ongoing proceedings of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), set up to examine the Waqf Amendment Bill, have sparked a wave of criticism as opposition members question the legitimacy and impartiality of the committee’s methods. Concerns have been raised over the JPC chairman’s decision to include individuals and officials with little to no direct connection to the Waqf issue, with accusations suggesting a bias towards individuals who support the Narendra Modi government’s proposed amendments to the Waqf Bill.
This has fuelled scepticism about whether the voices of true stakeholders — such as Muslim organisations, Waqf property administrators, and community representatives — are being fairly represented.
One of the focal points of contention revolves around the JPC chairman’s upcoming visit to Karnataka to meet with farmers reportedly holding Waqf land. The timing and rationale behind the visit have raised eyebrows, as the farmers’ involvement in Waqf affairs is tenuous at best, sparking speculations that the trip is designed to generate support for the government’s proposed changes. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shown significant support for these farmers, with plans to submit a “land report” to the JPC, purportedly highlighting disputes around Waqf properties occupied by agricultural workers. Critics argue that this approach distracts from the JPC’s primary responsibility: to address issues impacting Waqf properties and the Muslim community directly.
The alleged inclination towards non-stakeholders has raised concerns about the JPC’s true objectives. According to opposition members, the committee’s chairman appears to be more focused on securing testimony from those who align with the government’s perspective rather than from parties directly affected by the Waqf Bill. This has led many to question the JPC’s commitment to presenting a balanced and comprehensive report, especially given that the report’s submission deadline falls in the early weeks of the winter session of Parliament.
Furthermore, during a recent session, the Bar Council of India voiced its support for the proposed amendments to the Waqf Bill, offering what it claimed was a “balanced proposal.” The Bar Council’s stance included advocating for the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Boards and pushing for limitations on the tribunal’s powers. While the Bar Council labelled this as an equitable approach, critics argue that it disproportionately supports the government’s agenda, which some see as an attempt to dilute the traditional autonomy of Waqf institutions.
The proceedings within the JPC have been marked by mounting tensions, with committee meetings reportedly becoming increasingly heated. During recent discussions, disagreements escalated, allegedly to the point of near physical confrontations, underscoring the degree of division surrounding the proposed amendments. Opposition members accuse the JPC chairman of fostering an environment where only government-aligned perspectives are given prominence, thereby alienating the voices of genuine stakeholders. Such discord suggests that the JPC may struggle to produce a consensus-driven report that fairly represents the concerns and priorities of the Waqf community.
In response, several advocacy groups and Waqf property administrators have urged the JPC to realign its focus, emphasising that the inclusion of unrelated parties risks skewing the findings and undermining the credibility of the final report. They argue that the JPC’s mandate should prioritise safeguarding the autonomy and rights of Waqf institutions, as well as addressing the broader implications of the proposed amendments for the Muslim community.
As the JPC moves towards finalising its report, calls are intensifying for the inclusion of voices that accurately reflect the interests of Waqf stakeholders. There is a widespread belief that any amendments to the Waqf Bill should be crafted with input from Muslim organisations, property managers, and community leaders to ensure that their concerns are effectively addressed.