JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal took a sharp dig at the opposition on Thursday ahead of the Waqf Bill’s tabling in the Lok Sabha. Calling it a ‘historic day’ for waqf property management, Pal criticised the protest of INDIA bloc leaders, saying ‘they viewed Muslims as a vote bank.’ The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 was passed on 2nd April in the house following an 11-hour-long intense debate. The bill, strongly supported by the BJP and its allies, received 288 votes in its favour, while 232 voted against it.
Who Is Jagdambika Pal?
Born on October 21, 1950, Jagdambika Pal is an Indian politician and BJP MP from Domariyaganj constituency in Uttar Pradesh. On March 7, 2014, he parted from the Indian national Congress and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2014. He remained the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for one day in 1998. Coming to his academic background, the JPC Chief is a Post Graduate.
Waqf Bill Kicks Off On Stormy Note
The introduction of the bill kicked off on a stormy note in the house as the opposition INDIA Bloc party leaders and members fiercely opposed it. Following the clear passage of the bill after amendments made by opposition were negatived, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi left the Parliament. The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 is set to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today at 1 pm by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
About Waqf Amendment Bill 2024
Last year in August 2024, the Waqf Bill was previously presented in the Lok Sabha amidst an uproar by the opposition. Following this, a Joint Parliamentary Committee was constituted under the leadership of BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. The House panel submitted its report on 13th February this year, which was approved by the Cabinet on the 19th. Later, the panel accepted 14 changes suggested by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). They reportedly rejected all 44 changes proposed by the Opposition.
Also Read: What Will Change After The Waqf Bill Is Passed? 8 Key Differences Between The Old And New Bills
