Guwahati: The Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Jagdambika Pal, emphasized the committee’s commitment to inclusive dialogue as it began its deliberations in Guwahati.
Pal outlined the committee’s plan to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Assam State Government, the Waqf Board, the minority commission, High Court lawyers, and other relevant parties.
“We will engage with officials from the Northeast, the boards, and other stakeholders to thoroughly examine our proposed amendments,” Pal said, reflecting the depth of the planned consultations.
The JPC’s initiative to seek broad-based input reflects the government’s desire for a comprehensive discourse on the bill. Pal further clarified that the request to refer the Waqf Amendment Bill to the JPC had come directly from the government, reinforcing the government’s intent to facilitate robust debate. He emphasized that the JPC, formed by the Speaker of Parliament, was a platform for MPs across party lines to contribute to the discussions, underscoring the involvement of opposition MPs and stakeholders in ongoing consultations over the past two months.
As part of its efforts, the committee is set to embark on a study tour from November 9 to November 14, visiting five major cities—Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna, and Lucknow—to gather diverse perspectives on the proposed legislative changes.