After Opposition, BJP MP seeks more time for Parliamentary panel on Waqf bill

Opposition MPs have been seeking an extension of the JPC's tenure for the Waqf Amendment Bill. They argue that more time is required for stakeholders to present their cases, as the panel has only met 25 times.

In Short

• BJP's Nishikant Dubey moved resolution seeking extention in deadline
• Opposition MPs earlier staged walkout over similar demand
• Opposition MPs demanding extension, saying more time is required
• Parliamentary panel is supposed to submit Waqf bill report by November 29

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday sought more time for the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf amendment bill, days after Opposition MPs alleged that Chairman Jagdambika Pal was keen to close proceedings by the November 29 deadline in a hurry.

The MP from Jharkhand's Godda constituency moved a resolution during a meeting of the Parliamentary panel on Wednesday.

The move came hours after Opposition MPs staged a walkout of the meeting, alleging that the proceedings had become a mockery.

Around an hour later, the agitating MPs returned to the meeting as there were indications that JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal might seek an extension to the panel's term.

Opposition MPs have been seeking an extension of the JPC's tenure for the Waqf Amendment Bill. They argue that more time is required for stakeholders to present their cases, as the panel has only met 25 times.

Despite a draft report from Chairman Pal, Opposition MPs feel unprepared and have urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to extend the timeline.

Earlier on Wednesday, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, DMK's A Raja, Sanjay Singh of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee protested the conduct of the committee chairperson, alleging that he was keen to wrap up its proceedings by the November 29 deadline without completing due process.

"Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had indicated the committee might be given an extension, but it appeared that some "big minister" was directing the action of Pal," Gogoi claimed.

YSR Congress MP V Vijaysai Reddy said not all parties allied with the BJP wanted an extension, but Pal called for finishing its work so that the report could be tabled in the Lok Sabha on November 29.

Certain reports suggest that the panel's tenure may be pushed till the first week of the Budget Session next year and that a final decision would be taken by the Lok Sabha.

On August 8, the government introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha, saying that the law was aimed to streamline the Waqf Board's work and ensure the efficient management of Waqf properties.

It was immediately sent to a joint parliamentary committee after Opposition parties and Muslim organisations expressed concerns, claiming that the bill was a targeted measure against the community and an infringement on its constitutional rights.

With PTI inputs