Opposition MPs Given Deadline to Submit Dissent Notes on Waqf Bill Draft Report

New Delhi: The Opposition MPs have been given time until 4 pm today (January 29) to submit their dissent notes on the Joint Parliamentary Committee's (JPC's) draft report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

The JPC has adopted the draft report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill through a vote, with 14 members voting in favour and 11 against.

The MPs have criticised the short notice given to review the 655-page draft report, claiming they received it on Tuesday evening with a request to provide comments by 10 am Wednesday, The Indian Express reported

The committee, comprising 31 members from both the Houses of parliament on Monday, had approved 14 amendments proposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, while rejecting 44 suggested by the Opposition, IE report added.

Also read: Why Muslims Fear Communal Backlash as JPC Clears Waqf Amendments

The approved amendments include:

• Relaxing Registration Window: Extending the six-month window to register Waqf properties on a portal.
• Arbitration: Replacing the district collector with a state government official to determine whether a property is Waqf or government land.
• Tribunal Composition: Including a member with knowledge of Muslim law and jurisprudence in the Waqf tribunal.

The Opposition had called the proceedings a "farce" and alleged that procedures were not followed during Monday's meeting. The committee's report will now be presented to the parliament, with the Opposition likely to raise objections.

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