AISPLB Objects to Waqf Amendment Bill: Key Concerns Explained

On Wednesday, members of the All India Shia Personal Law Board (AISPLB) presented 13 concerns to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill that the government plans to pass. However, insiders said that the AISPLB officials had trouble explaining their points clearly.

Members of the ruling party questioned the objections from the AISPLB, but the officials struggled to respond effectively. The AISPLB representatives explained that they were given very short notice for the meeting and weren’t fully prepared. The JPC chairperson said they could return or submit written answers to the questions later.

During the meeting, the AISPLB officials argued that the bill was against the interests of the Muslim community. However, a ruling party MP argued back, saying past governments had only appeased the Muslim community and that this new government was truly trying to help the poor and women within the community.

Some opposition MPs disagreed with the ruling party MP, stating that he was turning the discussion into a political fight. The meeting’s chairman stepped in to end the argument.

After the meeting, JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal told the media that the AISPLB had presented their 13 concerns. The committee would review these points and may ask the AISPLB officials to come back for more discussions.

This JPC, which started reviewing the bill in August, was expected to report back to Parliament during the current winter session. However, the Lok Sabha speaker has allowed more time to discuss it until the end of the next budget session.