Delhi Chief Minister Atishi addressed the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Monday, asserting that the report submitted by the Delhi Waqf Board should be considered “null and void.” She contended that the report was presented without the necessary approval from the Delhi government.
In her letter to JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP, Atishi emphasized that the document, prepared by IAS officer Ashwini Kumar, the administrator of the Delhi Waqf Board, lacks legitimacy since it was not sanctioned by the National Capital Territory of Delhi government. She requested that any discussions regarding the report be halted until a revised version, approved by the government, is submitted.
The controversy surrounding the Waqf Board’s report prompted several opposition leaders to stage a walkout during the JPC meeting. They echoed Atishi’s sentiments, alleging that the Waqf Board administrator altered the report without the Delhi government’s consent.
Prominent figures from various parties, including AAP member Sanjay Singh and DMK’s Mohammed Abdulla, participated in the protest, claiming that significant changes were made to the original report without the Chief Minister’s approval.
In response to these developments, the government had introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on August 8. This legislation aims to improve the management of Waqf properties and streamline the operations of the Waqf Board. However, it faced immediate backlash from opposition parties and Muslim organizations, who argued that it targeted the community and infringed on their constitutional rights.
The JPC had previously invited public feedback on the proposed changes, offering a 15-day period for individuals, NGOs, and other stakeholders to share their opinions.
