Opposition MPs Urges Lok Sabha Speaker to Extend JPC Tenure on Waqf Amendment Bill

25th November 2024

News By B R Abdul Wajid

Editor in Chief

New Delhi | The winter session of Parliament begins today, and the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is one of several bills scheduled for consideration and passage following the JPC’s submission of its report to the Lok Sabha.

In a recent post on X, Asaduddin Owaisi, Member of Parliament, announced that he and other MPs met with the Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla, handed over a letter to request an extension for the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill. Owaisi stated that the Speaker said he will positively look into it the request of the MPs.

The letter addressed to the Speaker highlights several key points. Firstly, it notes that the JPC had its initial meeting on August 22, 2024, and since then, it has held only 25 sittings. These sessions included presentations and evidence from various organizations and individuals, some of which were deemed irrelevant. Additionally, several state governments, including those of Bihar, New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, have yet to present their views to the Committee. Furthermore, numerous stakeholder organizations are still waiting for an opportunity to share their perspectives.

The letter emphasizes that the Waqf Amendment Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation that proposes significant changes to the existing law. These changes will impact a large segment of India’s population. Therefore, the three-month period allocated for the Committee to finalize its report is insufficient and could lead to inadequate recommendations. To ensure thorough consultation and deliberation, an extension of the Committee’s tenure is necessary.

The letter also stresses that discussing legislations merely as a formality, without allowing adequate time for people to present their views, undermines the legitimacy of the legislative process. Such practices could negatively impact the authority of Parliament.

Owaisi and the other MPs hope that their request will be favorably considered, allowing the JPC to conduct a more comprehensive review and ensure that the final recommendations are well-informed and beneficial for the country.