The committee intends to consult with the Union Urban Development Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at its next meeting. The meeting is scheduled for next week.
On Friday, the panel witnessed fireworks between members of the government and opposition parties. Opposition MPs protested various sections of the proposed legislation, prompting a brief walkout by opposition members.
Following heated discussions between AAP MP Sanjay Singh and BJP MP Dilip Saikia, some opposition members momentarily walked out of the conference.
The main point of disagreement was the provision for ‘declaration of waqf by user’, the designation of the district collector as the principal authority in establishing the classification of property as Waqf, and the presence of non-Muslims on the Central Waqf Council and state boards.
During a nearly eight-hour day-long hearing, the panel, chaired by BJP member Jagadambika Pal, heard the views of All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama of Mumbai, Delhi-based Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR), Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf Board, and Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf.There was also uproar during the proceedings since a lawyer represented both Indian Muslims for Civil Rights and the Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf.
