New Delhi:

A joint parliamentary committee has voted in favour of 14 alterations to the draft version of the Waqf Amendment Bill, which had been tabled in the Lok Sabha in August last year and seeks to make 44 contentious changes to the way Muslim charitable properties are managed in the country.

The 14 alternations include distinguishing between the mandatory two non-Muslim members – as specified in the original draft of the bill – and nominated ex-officio members (Muslim or non-Muslim).

This means waqf councils, whether at state or pan-India levels, will have at least two, and possibly more (if the nominated ex-officio members are also not Muslim) members not from the Islamic faith.

Another key change is directing an officer nominated by the concerned state to determine if a property is ‘waqf’. In the original draft this decision was left to the District Collector.

A third change is establishing that the law will not apply retrospectively, so long as the property in question is already registered. To this point, Congress leader and JPC member Imran Masood raised a red flag, noting an estimated 90 per cent of waqf properties are not, in fact, registered.

READ | Waqf Amendment Bill Cleared By JPC, 14 Amendments Approved

These changes, and the 11 others, were proposed by members from the ruling BJP, including Lok Sabha MPs Nishikant Dubey, Tejasvi Surya and Aparajita Sarangi.

Among the other 11 is a change – put forward by Mr Surya – specifying that anybody wishing to donate land must “show or demonstrate that she/he is practicing Islam for at least five years” and also acknowledge “…there is no contrivance involved in the dedication of such property”.

Overall, MPs from the ruling party and those allied to it made 23 proposals to alter the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. MPs from the opposition made 44 proposals, none of which were accepted.

NDTV Explains | Women, Non-Muslims, Council Can’t Claim Land: Waqf Changes

But the opposition’s proposals were rejected by a 10:16 vote after committee members voted on party lines; the JPC has 16 MPs from the BJP or allied parties and only 10 from the opposition.

Voting to confirm acceptance of the 14 changes will take place January 29, and the final report will be submitted by January 31, sources told NDTV.

The committee had originally been asked to file the report by November 29 but that deadline was extended to February 13, the final day of the Budget Session.

Changes to the Waqf laws, sources told NDTV earlier, are meant to empower Muslim women who “suffered” under the old law. However, critics, including Trinamool leader Kalyan Banerjee, and AIMIM boss Asaduddin Owaisi (both JPC members), have called it a “direct attack on freedom of religion”.

READ | Opposition Targets Non-Muslims Provision In “Draconian” Waqf Bill

Mr Owaisi and the DMK’s Kanimozhi, meanwhile, also have argued it violates multiple sections of the Constitution, including Article 15 (the right to practice a religion of one’s choice) and Article 30 (the right to minority communities to establish and administer their educational institutions).

The 1995 Wakf Act was passed to regulate ‘auqaf’ (assets donated and notified as Waqf) by a ‘wakif’ (the person who dedicates the property). The legislation was last amended in 2013.

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Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on ‘Waqf Amendment Bill’ Jagdambika Pal, front left, leaves after its meeting, in Patna. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Members of the parliamentary panel on the Waqf Amendment Bill have suggested 572 amendments to the draft legislation that has the government and the opposition at loggerheads.

The consolidated list of amendments was circulated by the Joint Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill, chaired by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal, late Sunday as the panel’s hearing entered the last lap.

Also read | Mirwaiz meets parliamentary panel on Waqf Bill, opposes amendments, seeks meaningful talks 

The Committee will discuss the clause-by-clause amendments at its meeting on Monday.

Members of the BJP and those from the opposition have submitted amendments to the Bill. However, none of the BJP’s allies figure in the list of members who have submitted the amendments.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was referred to the joint committee of Parliament on August 8 following its introduction in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

The Bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995, to address issues and challenges in regulating and managing Waqf properties.

New Delhi:

Ten opposition MPs have been suspended – including the Trinamool’s Kalyan Banerjee, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, and A Raja of the DMK have been suspended for the day from the joint parliamentary committee studying proposed changes to 44 sections of the Waqf Act of 1955.

The suspensions followed ruckus in the JPC hearing Friday.

The day’s meeting began on a stormy note; opposition MPs shouted down proceedings, saying they were not being given enough time to study the changes suggested to the Waqf laws.

This was before the JPC was to hear from Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir’s religious head.

But that was delayed after opposition MPs accused others on the committee – specifically those from the ruling BJP – of rushing the bill through in time for next month’s Delhi election.

The heated arguments that followed forced brief adjournment, and the delegation led by the Mirwaiz appeared after the committee reconvened. But the peace didn’t last long.

Mr Banerjee and the Congress’ Naseer Hussain then stormed out, complaining the committee and its proceedings had become a “farce”. The BJP’s Nishikant Dubey called their conduct “against Parliamentary practice” and said they were trying to suppress the majority.

Behind them, as the hearing continued, the Mirwaiz told the committee he could not support the proposed changes to the Waqf laws as they meant the government was interfering in religious matters.

“We hope our suggestions will be heard and (be) acted upon, and no such step will be taken that could make Muslims feel like they are being disempowered,” he said.

“The issue of Waqf is a very serious matter, especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as it is a Muslim-majority state. Many people have concerns regarding this (and) we want the government to refrain from interfering in Waqf matters,” he told the committee.

Meetings of this committee have seen mud-slinging and even physical brawls since it was set up in August last year; in October, for example, Mr Banerjee had a ‘Hulk’ moment, smashing a glass bottle on the table and throwing it at the BJP’s Jagadambika Pal, the committee Chair.

READ | Trinamool MP Explains ‘Hulk’ Moment During Waqf Bill Meeting

He later explained his actions, saying another BJP MP, ex-Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay flung verbal abuses at his family and provoked that strong reaction.

The Waqf Amendment Bill proposes numerous changes to the way Waqf boards are administered, including nominating non-Muslim and (at least two) women members.

NDTV Explains | Women, Non-Muslims, Council Can’t Claim Land: Waqf Changes

Also, the central Waqf Council must (if the amendments are passed) include a union minister and three MPs, as also two ex-judges, four people of ‘national repute’, and senior government officials, none of whom need be from the Islamic faith. Further, the Council can’t claim land.

Other proposed changes are to limit donations from Muslims who have been practicing their faith for at least five years (a provision that triggered a row over the term ‘practicing Muslim’.

Sources told NDTV the idea is to empower Muslim women and children who “suffered” under the old law. However, critics of the proposed changes, including opposition leaders like the Congress’ KC Venugopal, have said it constitutes a “direct attack on freedom of religion”.

READ | Opposition Targets Non-Muslims Provision In “Draconian” Waqf Bill

Mr Owaisi and the DMK’s Kanimozhi, meanwhile, have argued it violates multiple sections of the Constitution, including Article 15 (the right to practice a religion of one’s choice) and Article 30 (the right to minority communities to establish and administer their educational institutions).

The committee had originally been asked to submit its report by November 29 but that deadline has since been extended – to the final day of Parliament’s Budget Session, which ends Feb 13.

READ | After Opposition, BJP MP Seeks Extension For Panel On Waqf Bill

The extension had been sought by both the opposition and the BJP.

With input from agencies

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New Delhi:

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader, speaking in Lok Sabha yesterday, questioned the calls to survey or demolish some mosques across the country amid debates over the Places of Worship Act. Speaking during a debate on 75 years of the Constitution of India, the Hyderabad MP also accused the Centre of trying to “snatch away” Waqf properties.

“Today, I am being asked if there was a mosque 500 years ago… If I dig up this Parliament and something will be found, will it become mine?” Mr Owaisi said.

His remarks came days after the Supreme Court paused the ongoing surveys of places of worship, including mosques.

In his nearly 9-minute speech, he also expressed his concern over the situation of minorities.

“What Babasaheb said 75 years ago remains absolutely true even today – no one wants the minority to share power,” the 55-year-old leader said.

“Let me explain the measure of success of parliamentary democracy. Articles 25, 26, 29, 30, 14, and 21-these fundamental rights form the foundation. By focusing on these, I will illustrate whether justice has truly been served to the weaker sections of society,” he said, citing incidents of harassment against Muslims.

AIMIM अध्यक्ष बैरिस्टर @asadowaisi ने लोकसभा में “भारत के संविधान की 75 वर्षों” पर चर्चा के दौरान अपनी बात रखी। संविधान में दिए गए हुक़ूक़ भारत के मुसलमानों के लिए अधूरे रह गए हैं।#asaduddinowaisi#parliamentwintersession2024#75yearsOfConstitution#asadowaisi… pic.twitter.com/9bgmRxDTpF

— AIMIM (@aimim_national) December 14, 2024

Referring to the Waqf Amendment bill, Mr Owaisi said the goal of the central government is to “snatch away Waqf properties”.

“You want to snatch it away on the basis of your strength,” he said.

ALSO READ | ‘Those Looking For Temples Under Mosques Don’t Want Peace’: Akhilesh Yadav

The bill requires that money received by the Waqf Board must be used for the welfare of widows, divorcees, and orphans in the manner suggested by the government.

Opposition parties have alleged that the amendments proposed by the bill violate the religious rights of Muslims. The government, however, has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency to the functioning of the waqf boards and make them accountable.

“Read Article 26, it gives religious denominations, the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) says that Waqf has nothing to do with the Constitution. Who is teaching the PM? Make him read Article 26,” he said.

Bengaluru:

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a show-cause notice to Karnataka MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal for making remarks against state-level party leadership.

“Your continuing tirade against the state-level party leadership and your defiance of party directives and making public pronouncements and stance in contravention of the party’s official stand on all matters of political and public importance has been reported in media as well as by different party forums,” the notice read issued on Sunday.

“It is also a matter of great concern that despite having been issued a show cause notice several times in the past and your assurances of good conduct, the acts of indiscipline continue unabated,” he added.

The party said that given your seniority and long-standing in the party, the Central Disciplinary Committee took a lenient view on the explanations submitted by you in the past.

“False and veiled allegations levelled by you against the party leaders together with defiance of the official stand of the party on matters of political and public importance, constitute a serious breach of the party discipline as defined in Article XXV of BJP Party Rules ‘Breach of Discipline section (a) and (1). Please show cause as to why the party should not take disciplinary action against you. Your explanation should be submitted to the undersigned no later than ten days from the receipt of this notice,” the notice read.

Mr Yatnal had earlier proposed a public awareness campaign regarding amendments to the Waqf Bill. However, several party leaders objected, urging Mr Yatnal and others to refrain from organising an independent event.

“Basanagowda Patil Yatnal should not be allowed to conduct any campaign for any reason. It has been decided that party workers should be convinced about this, and the leadership should ensure Mr Yatnal and his team are not allowed to bypass state president B.Y. Vijayendra,” former minister and BJP leader M.P. Renukacharya told ANI.

In December 2023, alleging 40,000 crores of rupees were embezzled under the Yediyurappa government in the state during the first wave of Covid-19, Mr Yatnal warned that he would expose the “irregularities,” if expelled from the party.

“I will take out names who have looted and made property wherever. BS Yediyurappa was the Chief Minister in the first wave of corona. 40,000 crores of rupees have been embezzled at that time. They billed 8 to 10 lakh rupees for each corona patient.” he said.

The BJP MLA further alleged that the Yediyurappa government at Covid-19 time fixed Rs 485 for a Rs 45 mask.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Day 2 of the Parliament Winter Session will begin at 11 am, with discussions on the Waqf bill, Wayanad landslide and Sambhal violence likely to remain in focus.

The winter session of the parliament began on November 25 but faced early disruptions, resulting in the adjournment of both Houses for the day. No sitting was held on November 26, on the occasion of the 75th Constitution Day.

Here are the Live updates on the Parliament Winter Session:

Parliament Winter Session Update: The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will move The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that seeks to further amend the Railway Act, 1989 to enhance the powers of the Railways Board and improve operational efficiency.

Parliament Winter Session Update: The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday will move the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha which aims to amend the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, in addition to the Banking Regulation Act, among other Bills.

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 amends the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the State Bank of India Act, 1955, the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980.

The Bill seeks to amend different banking laws to alter the tenure of directors of cooperative banks and expand provisions for the settlement of unclaimed amounts.

Parliament Winter Session Update: Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) To Move Amendments On The Waqf Bill, 2024
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set to hold a meeting on Wednesday and its members are likely to move their own amendments to the proposed law. The opposition members in the Joint Parliament Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, had requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to extend the panel’s tenure.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi called the bill a “grave violation of Article 26 of the Constitution”.