Waqf Bill 2024: Key Amendments Approved, Opposition’s Changes Rejected

New Delhi: In a significant development, the Joint Committee of Parliament (JCP) has cleared 14 amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which were proposed by NDA MPs, while rejecting 44 amendments from the Opposition.

These amendments reflect a major shift in the handling of Waqf properties and their governance, and while some of the changes have been accepted, many from the Opposition have been dismissed, sparking further debate on the bill, as reported by Indian Express.

Photo Credit: PTI

Waqf Bill 2024: Key Amendments Approved

Here are the list of Key Amendments that are approved:

1. Extended Registration Period: The Bill now proposes a more relaxed six-month window for registering Waqf properties on a digital portal, aimed at making the process more accessible and efficient for stakeholders.
2. New Arbiter for Waqf Property: A significant amendment includes replacing the district collector with a senior government official as the arbiter for determining whether a property is Waqf or government land.
3. Inclusion of Muslim Law Expertise: Another notable amendment involves the composition of the Waqf tribunal. The committee has proposed that at least one member of the tribunal must possess "knowledge of Muslim law and jurisprudence" to better understand the intricacies of the issues related to Waqf properties.
4. Revised Waqf Board Composition: The amendments also aim to change the composition of Waqf Boards in states, potentially bringing in more diverse expertise and representation to oversee the management of Waqf properties.

Rejection of Opposition Amendments

Despite the approval of these significant changes, all 44 amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected. These amendments primarily aimed to counter the proposed modifications to the Waqf Act, 2013. The Opposition's proposals were seen as efforts to preserve the existing structure of the Waqf Act, arguing that the proposed amendments could lead to potential misuse and weaken the management of Waqf properties.

WAQF Bill 2024: Background of the Debate

The Waqf Act has long been a point of contention, with various political groups raising concerns over its administration, as reported by Indian Express. The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 2013, and the proposed changes are seen as a response to the growing need for improved governance of Waqf properties across India. However, the rejection of the Opposition's amendments has sparked significant discussions regarding the political and administrative ramifications of the bill.

Conclusion

With the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 moving forward, the approval of these key amendments by the NDA MPs marks a major shift in the governance of Waqf properties, while the Opposition's concerns continue to be sidelined, as per media reports. As the bill progresses, it is likely to continue to stir debate on its potential impact on the management and administration of Waqf properties across the nation.