Key Highlights
- The JPC endorsed 14 out of 66 proposed amendments, all originating from the ruling BJP‑NDA bloc.
- State Waqf boards may now appoint non‑Muslim CEOs and at least two non‑Muslim members.
- The Central Waqf Council’s composition is expanded to include a union minister, three MPs, two former judges, four eminent persons and senior officials, none of whom must be Muslim.
- Authority over property‑ownership disputes shifts from Waqf Tribunals to the district Collector.
- Opposition‑sponsored reforms aimed at safeguarding board autonomy were rejected, intensifying partisan criticism.
Detailed Insights
The Waqf Amendment Bill, tabled in the Lok Sabha in August 2024, seeks a comprehensive overhaul of the administrative machinery that oversees Muslim charitable endowments across India. While 66 amendments were tabled—23 by BJP legislators and 44 by opposition members—the Joint Parliamentary Committee (31 members: 16 from the BJP‑NDA, 13 from opposition parties) approved only the 14 changes advanced by the governing coalition.
Key provisions that cleared the committee include: (1) permitting non‑Muslim chief executives and a minimum of two non‑Muslim members on every state Waqf board, thereby widening community representation; (2) redefining the Central Waqf Council’s roster to feature senior political figures, ex‑judges and nationally recognised individuals without any religious prerequisite; and (3) authorising state Collectors, under the guidance of the jurisdictional government, to adjudicate whether a disputed parcel truly qualifies as Waqf land, effectively removing the Waqf Tribunal from that role.
Opposition amendments—intended to bolster the independence of Waqf boards, retain tribunal jurisdiction, and enhance transparency in board appointments—were dismissed, with voting largely split along party lines (16 for the BJP‑NDA stance, 10 against). Critics argue that the inclusion of non‑Muslim officials could erode the religious character of Waqf institutions, while the government maintains that these steps will improve accountability and deliver benefits to marginalized Pasmanda Muslims.
Procedurally, the committee’s original deadline of 29 November 2024 was extended to 13 February 2025, aligning with the conclusion of the Budget Session. The final vote on the endorsed amendments is slated for 29 January 2025, with a comprehensive report expected by 31 January 2025.
Key Concepts
- Waqf Board: A statutory body responsible for managing endowments donated by Muslims for charitable, religious, or educational purposes.
- Central Waqf Council: The apex advisory entity that coordinates policies and guidelines for state Waqf boards across India.
- Collector: The senior administrative officer of a district who, under the amendment, gains jurisdiction over disputes concerning the status of Waqf properties.
- Pasmanda Muslims: Historically disadvantaged Muslim sub‑communities, often the focus of affirmative‑action policies.
- Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC): A bicameral panel constituted to scrutinise specific legislation, comprising members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.