Opposition Demands More Time for Scrutiny of Waqf Amendment Bill: To Meet Speaker Omilla

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, November 22, 2024, Hooghly : Tensions erupted within the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed to discuss the Waqf Amendment Bill, as opposition members vehemently called for more time to review the proposed changes to the bill. The opposition's demands came after a marathon six-hour meeting, during which Committee Chairman Jagadambika Pal asserted that the report had been prepared and was ready for submission.

However, the opposition remained unsatisfied, urging that they be granted an extension to further scrutinize the amendments to the draft law. As a result, the committee meeting became heated, with opposition members staging protests, raising slogans, and demanding intervention from the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Omilla. The opposition’s main contention was that the bill's changes were substantial, and they required more time to ensure a thorough review of its provisions.

The demand for more time has been a focal point of contention within the committee. After several rounds of discussions, opposition members argued that the proposed amendments were complex and warranted a deeper examination. "We need additional time to scrutinize the draft law thoroughly," one opposition member stated. "The changes introduced are significant and could impact the functioning of the Waqf system, which is why a detailed review is essential."

Despite efforts from Chairman Jagadambika Pal to pacify the opposition, including offering to provide the draft bill for review, the demands for an extension persisted. In an attempt to address the concerns, Pal assured the committee members that the bill would be made available to them immediately. However, this gesture did little to ease the opposition’s dissatisfaction.

The opposition has now announced that they will meet with the Lok Sabha Speaker, Omilla, on the first day of the winter session of Parliament on Monday to press their demand for an extension. They hope that Speaker Omilla will intervene and grant them more time to review the bill.

The Waqf Amendment Bill has been the subject of extensive consultations. According to reports, the committee has held 25 meetings with various organizations to discuss the bill. Additionally, over five days, committee members engaged in more than 29 hours of discussions with representatives from the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Despite this, opposition members claim that the time allotted for deliberations has been insufficient.

In response to the opposition’s demands, Jagadambika Pal, the committee chairman, emphasized that the final decision regarding the extension of the committee's mandate lies with the Lok Sabha Speaker. However, the government remains firm in its position that the draft bill is ready for submission and believes there is no need to extend the deadline further.

The government’s stance is that sufficient consultations have already taken place, and the bill’s contents have been adequately discussed. With the draft report finalized, the government is keen to move forward and avoid unnecessary delays.

The Waqf Amendment Bill, which seeks to introduce several reforms to the management of Waqf properties, has sparked considerable debate. The bill aims to enhance the transparency and accountability of Waqf boards, streamline their operations, and address issues of corruption within the system. However, the proposed amendments have been met with mixed reactions, particularly from opposition parties, who argue that the changes could have far-reaching implications for the minority communities that rely on Waqf properties for social welfare.

The opposition’s insistence on further scrutiny highlights the broader concerns regarding the potential impact of the bill on the administration of Waqf properties and the communities they serve. As the debate continues, all eyes will be on the winter session of Parliament, where the Speaker’s intervention could play a pivotal role in determining the next steps for the bill’s passage.