Delhi, Jan 29: In a significant development, Member of Parliament Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi met with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the Waqf Amendment Bill and other pressing issues, sources revealed.
According to sources, the meeting was a courtesy call, as Aga Ruhullah is in the capital for the upcoming Budget session of Parliament. Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq remains in Delhi after recently leading a delegation of the Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) to meet Jagdambika Pal, the Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill.
Waqf Amendment Bill at the Center of Discussions
The meeting comes at a crucial time as the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, continues to spark debate between the opposition and the ruling BJP-led government. Sources confirmed that the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act were a key topic during the discussions between Aga Ruhullah and Mirwaiz.
Last Friday, Mirwaiz-led MMU submitted a detailed memorandum to the JPC, outlining its reservations about the bill’s provisions, which include:
- Changes in the composition of the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards
- Restrictions on the powers of Waqf boards
- Mandatory registration of Waqf properties with district collectors
On Monday, the JPC voted in favor of 14 amendments to the bill, including a revision distinguishing between the mandatory two non-Muslim members of the Waqf Board and nominated ex-officio members (Muslim or non-Muslim). These changes were proposed by BJP MPs, including Nishikant Dubey, Tejasvi Surya, and Aparajita Sarangi.
Despite opposition from opposition members, the amendments were approved by a 16-10 majority vote along party lines. The committee adopted the draft report, which will now be submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for further proceedings.
A Politically Significant Engagement
This meeting also marks Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s first engagement with MPs since the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in August 2019. The discussions underline the growing concerns among Kashmiri leaders regarding the impact of the Waqf Amendment Bill and broader political and religious matters.
As the bill moves forward, its implications are expected to trigger further debates, with stakeholders from various sections of society keeping a close watch on developments.
