JPC Invites Public Input on Waqf Bill

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, led by MP Jagdambika Pal, has invited public suggestions from various stakeholders, including NGOs and experts. The Lok Sabha Secretariat announced that written suggestions can be submitted in English or Hindi within 15 days, either through post or email. This initiative comes amid concerns raised by opposition parties and Muslim organizations regarding the implications of the proposed amendments, which aim to enhance the governance of Waqf properties. Pal has assured community leaders that the amendments intend to protect Waqf properties and enhance the welfare of Muslims. However, Shia leader Maulana Syed Saif Abbas raised objections to numerous aspects of the bill, advocating for more comprehensive consultation with religious leaders. The text of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is available on the Lok Sabha website for public review.