Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to Present Concerns on Waqf Amendment Bill Before Parliamentary Committee

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the religious leader of Kashmir, is set to present his concerns regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill to a parliamentary panel on Friday. The Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, led by BJP's Jagdambika Pal, postponed its detailed clause-by-clause review of the draft legislation to the following week due to objections from Opposition members. The committee will now examine the bill thoroughly on Monday.

The committee's revised schedule was shared late Thursday night. Alongside Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Lawyers for Justice group is also expected to share their perspectives on Friday. Initially, Mirwaiz was supposed to meet Jagdambika Pal at his residence. This marks the first time Mirwaiz has left the Kashmir valley since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

Concerns Over Waqf Properties

On Wednesday, Muttahida Majlis-E-Ulema (MMU), led by Mirwaiz, released a brief statement. It highlighted that their delegation would express significant concerns about certain aspects of the bill. They believe these provisions could greatly affect the management and autonomy of Waqf properties and impact the welfare of Muslims, particularly those who are underprivileged.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also leads the largely inactive separatist group, Hurriyat Conference. His participation in this panel discussion is noteworthy given his previous political stance and activities. The discussions aim to address various stakeholders' views before finalising any legislative changes.

The parliamentary panel's decision to delay discussions reflects an effort to accommodate diverse opinions. By including voices like Mirwaiz and legal groups, they aim for a comprehensive understanding of potential impacts on Waqf properties and related communities.