Joint Parliamentary Committee's meeting on Waqf Amendment Bill begins in Guwahati

The Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Jagdambika Pal, underscored the committee's commitment to inclusive dialogue as it commenced deliberations in Guwahati. 

Highlighting the depth of stakeholder engagement planned, Pal stated, "We will engage with representatives from the Assam State Government, the Waqf Board, the minority commission, High Court lawyers, and other stakeholders. Today, discussions will be held with officials from the Northeast, the boards, and stakeholders to thoroughly examine our proposed amendments."

The JPC's initiative to hold widespread consultations reflects the government's intention for comprehensive discourse on the bill. Pal emphasized that the request to refer the Waqf Amendment Bill to the JPC came directly from the government, signaling its dedication to fostering robust debate. "The JPC, formed by the Speaker of Parliament, is not a government committee. This platform allows MPs across party lines to contribute meaningfully," Pal noted, pointing to the continuous efforts of opposition MPs and stakeholders who have been engaged in discussions over the past two months.

The committee's study tour, scheduled from November 9 to November 14, will span five major cities—Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow—to gather diverse insights on the proposed legislative changes.

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