Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain Criticizes Waqf Amendment Bill Process in JPC Report Submission

Dated 31st January 2025

News By Dr. B R Abdul Wajid

Editor in Chief

New Delhi | The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has submitted its report to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The panel’s chairperson, Jagdambika Pal, met Om Birla and handed over the report. The committee had adopted the report by a 15-11 majority vote. However, all opposition members submitted dissent notes, expressing their concerns.

Speaking to the media, Congress MP and JPC Member Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain strongly criticized the way the JPC handled the report. He alleged that the real issues concerning Waqf were not properly discussed. He also pointed out that due procedures were not followed while finalizing and submitting the report.

Dr. Hussain stated that the opposition members had repeatedly demanded that all meeting minutes and witness depositions be shared with them before the final discussions. However, this was not done. He further mentioned that a proper clause-by-clause discussion among JPC members should have taken place before moving any amendments. Instead, the members were suddenly called for a meeting, and a vote was conducted without adequate time for analysis.

He also raised concerns about the rushed nature of the process. According to him, the members received the 650-page report only a night before the adoption meeting, leaving them with no time to read and analyze it properly. The next day, after just four hours of discussion, the report was finalized and submitted.

Dr. Hussain criticized the government for not utilizing the JPC as an opportunity to improve Waqf administration and governance. He highlighted that Waqf properties could have been better managed for the welfare of the community, especially in education and healthcare. He said that if handled properly, it could have helped improve the conditions of nearly 15% of the country’s population. He lamented that the government and the JPC missed a significant opportunity to bring positive changes in Waqf management.