Juvenile Information Conference
There was also ruckus on Monday during the JPC meeting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. Amid the ongoing debate between the ruling party and the opposition, the Uttarakhand Waqf Board has recommended that rights over waqf properties be given to families of soldiers. After discussions with the Lok Sabha general secretary, the JPC dismissed objections raised by opposition MPs against the Delhi Waqf Board. According to sources, representatives of the Delhi Waqf Board will now express their views at the JPC meeting on Tuesday.
The JPC led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal on Monday met the Delhi Waqf Commission, Haryana Waqf Commission, Punjab Waqf Commission, Uttarakhand Waqf Commission, Call for Justice and Waqf, which consists of former judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts group), representatives of the Tenants Welfare Association were summoned to make recommendations regarding Waqf. During the presentation of the Delhi Waqf Committee, opposition parties started questioning its validity, sparking an uproar.
Opposition MPs quote Delhi Chief Minister’s letter
Congressmen representing the opposition argued that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi had written to JPC chairperson Jagdambika Pal requesting that the report of the Delhi Waqf Committee should not be recognized. Regarding the Delhi Waqf Board, Delhi Chief Minister Atish has written to JPC Chairman Jagdhan Bikapal saying that the Delhi Waqf Board has not discussed the issue of representation with the government.
Therefore, the JPC should not hear representatives from the Delhi Waqf Board. According to sources, the Delhi Waqf Board report mentioned many irregularities regarding waqf properties. Opposition MPs claimed that there were false statements at the JPC meeting and that discussions were ongoing about these false statements. In response to these accusations from the opposition parties, a heated debate began between the ruling and opposition party members.
Opposition MPs withdraw
Opposition MPs have since walked out of the Juvenile Commission meeting. According to sources, many opposition MPs did not sign the attendance register to express their protest over the matter. Even opposition MPs who signed it before the controversy later deleted it. But after some time, opposition MPs rejoined the meeting. But the deadlock continues over the presentation of the Delhi Waqf Board.
Owaisi suggested listening to the general secretary’s advice
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi suggested JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal to seek the opinion of the Lok Sabha secretary-general on the matter. After discussions with the Lok Sabha secretary-general, the JPC dismissed the objections raised by the opposition parties. Now, representatives of the Delhi Waqf Board will express their views at the JPC meeting tomorrow, Tuesday. Meanwhile, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Minority Affairs will also give a speech tomorrow, Tuesday.
Also called for the rights to be given to the families of soldiers
In the meeting, the Uttarakhand State Waqf Board supported the Waqf Amendment Bill and demanded that rights over waqf properties be given to families of soldiers. Some people believe that soldiers fighting on the border have no religious beliefs and that they sacrifice their lives for the security of the country. In this case, the vacant land of the Religious Affairs Committee or the land for building a hotel shall be given to the families of the soldiers. Reacting to the suggestion, representatives of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board got into a fight with other opposition MPs including Asaduddin Owaisi. There was also a heated debate between them over allegations of corruption at the Waqf Board.
