THE GOVERNMENT referred the Waqf (Amendment) Bill introduced in Parliament during the Budget Session to a Joint Committee of Parliament (JCP), appointing Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, as the committee’s chairperson. So far, the committee has convened twice, with further meetings scheduled on September 5 and 6.
Outside the committee, Pal has been meeting Muslim bodies for their views on the Bill. After one such meeting at his residence in New Delhi, Pal spoke to The Indian Express about the talks being held by the panel and how these might impact its final report. Excerpts:
Muslim organisations have been meeting you… What concerns are they expressing about the Waqf (Amendment) Bill?
When the government was presenting this Bill in Parliament, the Opposition MPs opposed it. For the first time, I think, in the history of parliamentary democracy, the debate on the admissibility (of the Bill) lasted for three hours, after which the government suo motu referred the Bill to the JCP.
Already two meetings of the JCP have taken place. But the Opposition or some people are trying to create a narrative that the government will occupy waqf properties or interfere in them. If the Bill had any such provision, why would the government refer it to a JCP? The government has a majority both in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The purpose of the Bill was to address those who have dedicated their own properties in the name of Allah (god) and given those properties for three purposes – religious, pious or charitable. But today, you see how waqf properties are getting encroached upon and complaints received that these properties are not being used to benefit women, children and orphans… For that reason, the government decided there should be transparency.
People have objected to involving the district collector (as the dispute resolving authority). The fact is a collector is the record keeper of land and settles land disputes. People are also concerned that non-Muslims will be involved (in waqf boards).
To collect opinions on all such concerns, we have involved all the stakeholders. We are trying to call the waqf boards in all the states. We will call the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), and clerics (from various sects). The government has no intention to interfere in waqf properties or take control of them.
All the stakeholders are being invited to the JCP meetings and Opposition MPs, too, are contributing. In a democracy, the solution to any issue is dialogue, discussion and decision. That is being done.
Several Muslim bodies have met you informally too. Are you inviting them to come before the JCP?
How is it possible for everyone? The committee will decide who is to be invited. But I will try to invite as many as possible. We have stated in the public domain that anyone who wishes to share opinions on the Bill… can email the secretariat of the JCP. Their memoranda, views and suggestions are welcome … (and) will be scrutinised.
What is the timeline for completing this task?
Three months. We have to submit the JCP’s report before the last day of the first week of the Winter Session of Parliament. In these 90 days, we have received lots of representations and delegations’ prayers to appear before the JCP. Our effort is to hold a dialogue with as many stakeholders as possible across the country, from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.
Recently you held an interactive session on the Bill at Farangi Mahal in Lucknow. Will the JCP hold similar meetings in all states?
The JCP hopes to visit all prominent places, like Mumbai, Chennai, Srinagar, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Patna, Lucknow and Kolkata, and collect views of people associated with idaare (institutions), khanqah (Sufi shrines) and tanzeem (organisations).
Almost all prominent Muslim bodies have opposed the Bill and demanded its withdrawal. Has anyone in meetings supported the Bill?
So many people are supporting the Bill. (On Saturday,) people from the Ajmer Sharif Dargah had come. Several delegations said this Bill is needed… Opinions may differ, but we will reach a consensus when all the MPs consider all these opinions. If we are opposing it today, it is possible that our opinion changes after listening to the arguments of various stakeholders.
When the first JCP meeting took place, various Muslim organisations, including the AIMPLB, said in a press conference that this government has kept the doors closed for dialogue with Muslims. How do you see their opinion?
Why should I comment on whatever they said? The Speaker constituted a JCP and I am the chairman of that JCP. I cannot express my view on what people comment outside. Secondly, we will record the views of those who are invited before the committee. On that basis, a report will be prepared and tabled in Parliament.
