New Delhi: The government of India has convened a meeting of all Members of Parliament (MPs) on Wednesday to thoroughly discuss the 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill.
The meeting, scheduled from 9:30 am to 10:30 am in Coordination Room 5 of the Parliament, aims to provide MPs with a detailed briefing on the proposed amendments to the Waqf laws.
In anticipation of presenting the bill to Parliament, the government seeks to elucidate its contents amidst mounting opposition.
The proposed Waqf Amendment Bill has stirred controversy nationwide, particularly among various groups who accuse the government of India of undermining the interests of the Muslim community.
Several Muslim organisations, including the prominent Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, have voiced objections, labelling the bill as anti-Muslim. They argue that the amendments may lead to mismanagement of Waqf properties and diminish the autonomy of the Muslim community in managing their charitable endowments.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly opposed the bill, announcing plans for large-scale protests across the country.
On March 26, demonstrations are scheduled in Patna’s Gardanibagh, followed by another protest in Vijayawada on March 29.
Qasim Rasool Ilyas, spokesperson for AIMPLB, criticised the bill, alleging it was introduced on communal grounds and infringed upon the rights of Muslims. He further claimed that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which reviewed the bill, disregarded the concerns raised by opposition parties and Muslim organisations.
After extensive meetings and hearings, the 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee presented its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The committee proposed several amendments to the legislation, supported by 15 BJP MPs against 11 opposition members.
However, the opposition remains staunch in its dissent, expressing apprehensions about the bill’s impact on Muslim religious and charitable institutions.
With ongoing discussions, the government faces mounting pressure from various quarters alongside nationwide protests.
