Cabinet approves proposed amendments to Waqf Bill: Reports
What's the story
The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the contentious Waqf Bill, per multiple reports.
The approval includes 14 modifications recommended by a joint parliamentary committee (JPC).
These amendments were included in the final report submitted by the JPC on February 13, after it was referred to them in August.
The process was marred by disagreements between opposition parties and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over accusations of bias and hastiness in passing the bill.
Recommendations
JPC's recommendations and opposition's response
The JPC, which held nearly three dozen hearings over six months, had initially recommended 66 changes to the bill.
All 44 suggestions of the opposition were rejected while 23 proposals of the BJP and allied MPs were accepted.
This resulted in another row as the opposition accused BJP MP Jagadambika Pal of bias and pushing the bill through without proper consultation.
Changes
Key changes proposed in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposed 44 amendments to laws governing central and state Waqf boards.
These include nominating non-Muslim and at least two women members to every Waqf Board, and a Union Minister, three MPs, and four people of "national repute" to the central Waqf Council.
Another controversial proposal limits donations from Muslims who must have been practicing for at least five years, sparking debate over defining a "practicing Muslim."
Provisions
New provisions and their implications
A further change directs a state-nominated officer to determine if a property is "waqf," a decision left to the District Collector earlier.
Under new rules, the Waqf Council cannot claim land.
Reportedly, these changes are aimed at empowering Muslim women and children affected by previous laws.
However, critics argue it is a "direct attack on freedom of religion," with Congress's KC Venugopal saying these amendments constitute an assault on religious liberties.
Criticism
Criticism of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's Kanimozhi have also slammed the bill for violating constitutional rights such as Article 15 and Article 30.
They contend that it violates several sections of the Constitution, including the right to practice a religion of one's choice (Article 15) and the right of minority communities to establish and administer their educational institutions (Article 30).