"Clause-by-clause discussions not held in JPC": MP Arvind Sawant on Waqf Bill

New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant, who was the member of the Joint Parliament Committee (JPC), on Wednesday, stated that clause-by-clause discussions were not held in the committee regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Participating in the debate in Lok Sabha on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Sawant, said that the non-stakeholders were also called to the JPC.
"I am here to present my view on Waqf (Amendment) Bill. I, too, was a member of the JPC. Unfortunately, till the end, clause-by-clause discussions were not held in the JPC. Non-stakeholders were also called to the JPC, have always felt that there is a great difference between your words and actions. You do not want to do justice to anyone with this Bill. Do not think that what you are doing is right. I think you can only see Bihar elections now," he said.
Earlier, moving the bill for passing in the House, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the bill will not be applicable retrospectively and the Centre is not seeking more powers.
"When our country has the largest Waqf property in the world, why hasn't it been used for the education, medical treatment, skill development, and income generation of poor Muslims? Why has no progress been made in this regard so far?" Rijiju said.
Along with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Rijiju also moved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha.
The bill was presented in the Lok Sabha last August and a Joint Parliamentary Committee, headed by BJP member Jagdambika Pal, examined it.
The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995, and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf Boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)