Bhubaneswar, November 11: A five-member delegation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill-2024 engaged with local stakeholders in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
The delegation met with representatives from 13 organizations and consulted with approximately 100 individuals, collecting feedback on the proposed amendments.
BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, a member of the delegation, highlighted the committee's efforts in promoting inclusivity and transparency in the legislation.
The JPC, established on August 9 under Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, has conducted 25 sessions spanning over 100 hours and engaged with 146 out of 195 invited organizations nationwide. Sarangi noted that the committee has received nearly 9.5 million suggestions, underscoring the widespread public interest in the amendments.
JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal emphasized the importance of regional consultations, explaining that the committee has been meeting with state officials, legal experts, Islamic scholars, and minority representatives. He affirmed that these discussions aim to ensure the amendments reflect a broad spectrum of perspectives, aiming for bipartisan support and inclusivity. Pal also addressed opposition concerns regarding the JPC’s study tours, clarifying that scheduling conflicts may prevent all members from attending each session but reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to comprehensive representation.
