Joint parliamentary committee discusses Waqf Amendment Bill with stakeholders in Ahmedabad

The joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, met with various stakeholders in Ahmedabad to discuss the proposed legislation. Government representatives, including Minister Harsh Sanghavi, shared suggestions, while local organizations also presented their views. Sanghavi noted that the Gujarat government supports the amendment, claiming it aligns with the interests of all citizens. However, Congress MLA Imran Khedawala expressed opposition to the amendment, highlighting differing opinions among political parties. Concerns were raised by the Bar Council of Gujarat and former Waqf Council members regarding specific changes in the bill, such as the removal of the ‘Waqf By User’ clause and the appointment of non-Muslim members. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8 and referred to the JPC after significant debate.