The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, kicks off discussions in Guwahati with plans for extensive consultations across multiple cities to gather stakeholder input.
Guwahati:The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill has officially begun its deliberations in Guwahati, with Chairman Jagdambika Pal highlighting the committee’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and thorough dialogue. Pal emphasized that the JPC’s consultations would involve a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including representatives from the Assam State Government, the Waqf Board, the Minority Commission, legal experts from the High Court, and other key groups.”We aim to engage deeply with local representatives and various stakeholders to carefully examine the proposed amendments,” Pal said, underscoring the importance of understanding diverse perspectives during the consultation process.The JPC’s effort to hold extensive consultations is part of a larger initiative to ensure that all voices are heard in the ongoing discussions surrounding the bill. Pal explained that the government’s request to refer the Waqf Amendment Bill to the JPC reflects a genuine desire for thorough debate and scrutiny. “The JPC is a platform for MPs from all political parties to contribute meaningfully. It’s not a government committee,” Pal remarked, noting that opposition MPs and other stakeholders have been actively engaged in discussions for the past two months.As part of its efforts to gather a wide range of views, the committee has scheduled a study tour across five key cities: Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow. The tour, set to run from November 9 to November 14, will further inform the committee’s understanding of the proposed legislative changes before moving forward with the bill.
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