The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, sources revealed on Thursday. The Cabinet has accepted 14 changes recommended by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which has been reviewing the Bill since August last year. 

 

The JPC submitted its final report in Parliament on February 13, following heated disputes between the opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies over the committee's composition and decision-making process. 

 

Opposition leaders accused JPC Chairman and BJP MP Jagadambika Pal of bias, alleging that the legislative process was rushed without adequate consultations. 

 

Over the last six months, the committee held nearly 36 meetings, many of which were marred by chaos, including a physical altercation. 

 

One such incident involved Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee, who reportedly smashed a glass bottle on a table, claiming he was provoked by BJP’s Abhijit Gangopadhyay. 

 

During the deliberations, 66 amendments were proposed. All 44 recommendations from the opposition were rejected, while 23 suggestions from BJP and its allies were incorporated, further fueling tensions. 

 

The committee consisted of 16 MPs from the ruling alliance and only 10 from the opposition. 

 

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill introduces 44 revisions to existing laws governing central and state Waqf boards, which manage Muslim charitable properties across India. 

 

Among the proposed changes is the inclusion of non-Muslim members and a minimum of two women in every Waqf Board. 

 

Additionally, a Union Minister, three Members of Parliament, and four prominent individuals of ‘national repute’ will be nominated to the Central Waqf Council. 

 

Another controversial provision stipulates that only practicing Muslims for at least five years will be eligible to donate to Waqf properties, raising debates over the definition of a ‘practicing Muslim’. 

 

A significant revision shifts the authority to determine whether a property qualifies as Waqf from the District Collector to a state-appointed officer. Moreover, the revised framework prevents the Waqf Council from claiming land. 

 

Government sources have suggested that these amendments aim to strengthen the rights of Muslim women and children, who they claim have faced hardships under the current regulations. 

 

However, opposition leaders, including Congress’ KC Venugopal, have strongly criticized the Bill, labeling it a “direct attack on religious freedom.” 

 

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and DMK’s Kanimozhi have also raised constitutional concerns, arguing that the proposed changes violate Article 15 (the right to freely practice one’s religion) and Article 30 (the right of minority communities to establish and manage their educational institutions).