In a significant step, the Union Cabinet adopted the Waqf (Amendment) Bill revisions on Thursday, implementing the most recent Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) recommendations. The law will now be presented for debate and approval during the second half of the budget session, which is scheduled to take place between March 10 and April 4. The budget session’s first phase took place between January 31 and February 13.
In its meeting on February 19, the Cabinet approved 14 changes proposed by the JPC, according to sources cited by news agency IANS. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill suggested 44 modifications to the statutes that govern state and federal Waqf boards.
Government vs Opposition on Waqf Board Reforms
The proposed Waqf Board reforms have sparked strong opposition protests, particularly over provisions that include the nomination of non-Muslim and at least two female members to the Waqf Board. The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha by Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Minority Affairs, was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in August 2024.
Despite objections from all ten opposition parties, the parliamentary panel approved the report with a majority vote. Opposition members also submitted dissent notes regarding the reforms.
Sources revealed to IANS that the Cabinet recently approved the Indian Port Bill, and the central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted most of the revisions proposed by the JPC under Jagdambika Pal’s leadership.
