Waqf Bill will not be stopped by threats, Says Jagdambika Pal on Muslim groups' protest

With opposition by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) increasing against the upcoming Waqf (Amendment) Bill to be brought to Parliament shortly, Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), claimed on Monday that the bill would go ahead on schedule, unaffected by any threats.

With an aim to mount pressure on the major BJP allies, such as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], the AIMPLB has organized a protest on March 13 at Jantar Mantar. Invitations have been extended to all opposition parties to join them.

The Board has also cautioned that if the Bill is enacted with their opposition, they will turn their opposition into a national movement. They also intend to file a case in the Supreme Court challenging the legislation, hoping that justice would prevail.

Reacting to these events, Jagdambika Pal said to IANS, "The Supreme Court is always there, but should democracy function on the basis of threats or through the people's will? Laws are made by elected representatives, not dictated by intimidation or coercion."

He attacked what he termed as a contradiction in the AIMPLB's approach—threatening demonstrations on the one hand, and seeking legal recourse on the other.

Justifying the Bill, Pal underscored that the JPC thoroughly examined it after having extensive discussions.

"We discussed with the AIMPLB for six months and gave them four hours to ventilate their perceptions," he said.

Consequently, he said, the panel has prepared a comprehensive 400-page amendment that responds to the concerns of marginal communities. Under his account, the bill is intended to empower vulnerable sections of society, such as poor people, women, orphans, widows, and economically weaker sections of Muslims.

Pal reiterated that the law is intended to support the needy and that no amount of pressure from outside can stop the passage of the bill.

Meanwhile, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has come out in support of the AIMPLB protest, blaming the government for driving the Muslim community to the streets to protect their rights.

Jamiat chief Maulana Arshad Madani expressed solidarity with the demonstration scheduled to take place at Jantar Mantar, stating that Muslims are being compelled to struggle for their rightful safeguards.