The Union Cabinet has given its approval to several modifications in the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, sources Thursday. Out of the 23 revisions recommended by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) since the bill was referred to them in August, 14 have been accepted. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting last week.
The revised bill is expected to be presented in Parliament when the House reconvenes on March 10.
The JPC submitted its report on February 13, but not without controversy. Opposition members alleged that portions of their dissent notes were omitted from the final document. In response, they wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, accusing the committee’s chairman, BJP MP Jagadambika Pal, of pushing the bill forward hastily, allegedly to influence the February 5 Delhi elections, which the BJP won.
The government denied any wrongdoing but defended Pal’s authority to remove sections that cast “aspersions” on the committee. However, following discussions between Speaker Om Birla, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and opposition leaders, it was agreed that the dissenting views would be reinstated in full.
The JPC’s handling of the bill sparked tensions between opposition MPs and the BJP-led government, with opposition leaders accusing Pal of rushing the process without due consultation. The BJP refuted these claims, with panel member and Lok Sabha MP Aparajita Sarangi asserting that Pal ensured ample opportunity for all members to present their views. Over the past six months, the JPC held nearly 36 hearings, many of which were marred by disruptions, including one incident where Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee shattered a glass bottle during a heated exchange with BJP MP Abhijit Gangopadhyay.
In total, 66 amendments were proposed, including 44 from the opposition, which were all rejected, leading to further disputes. The remaining 23, put forth by BJP and allied parties, were accepted, with 14 ultimately making it into the final draft. The committee, dominated by the BJP and its allies with 16 members against 10 from the opposition, approved these changes through a vote.
Among the key revisions is a clarification regarding the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in waqf councils at both state and national levels. In addition, nominated ex-officio members could be either Muslim or non-Muslim, meaning waqf councils may now include more non-Muslim representatives.
Another significant change shifts the authority to determine whether a property qualifies as ‘waqf’ from the District Collector to an officer appointed by the respective state government. Additionally, the law will not apply retrospectively, provided the concerned waqf property is already registered. However, Congress leader and JPC member Imran Masood flagged concerns over this provision, highlighting that nearly 90% of waqf properties remain unregistered.
Further proposed changes include revising rules governing central and state waqf boards, which oversee the administration of Muslim charitable properties. Notably, the amendments require every waqf board to include at least two women and non-Muslim members, alongside a Union Minister, three MPs, and four individuals of “national repute” on the central Waqf Council—provisions that have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties.
Another debated revision restricts donations to waqf properties to only “practicing Muslims” who have observed the faith for at least five years, raising concerns about the definition of a “practicing Muslim.”
Additionally, the proposed amendments prevent the Waqf Council from making claims over land, further intensifying the political discord surrounding the bill.
