Date: April 02, 2025
Waqf Bill: TDP’s Key Amendments Approved
TDP Secures Key Amendments in the Historic Waqf Bill
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is set to be presented in Parliament on April 2, 2025, by the NDA government. As a key ally of the NDA, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has already issued a whip to its MPs, ensuring full support for the bill.
However, what makes this development even more significant is that three out of the four amendments proposed by TDP have been approved by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) overseeing the bill.
TDP’s Three Approved Waqf Bill
1. No Reconsideration of ‘Waqf by User’ Cases
✔ Cases involving properties already registered as ‘Waqf by User’ cannot be reopened.
✔ Even without an official Waqf deed, such properties will continue to be considered Waqf assets.
2. Collector Does Not Have Final Authority
✔ The final authority regarding Waqf disputes will not rest solely with the district collector, ensuring a more transparent decision-making process.
3. Extension of Deadline for Digital Submission
✔ The deadline for submitting Waqf-related documents digitally has extended by six months, allowing more time for compliance.
These amendments reflect TDP’s commitment to balancing governance with the concerns of the Muslim community, making the bill more practical and inclusive.
YCP’s Lack of Effort: No Amendments, No Strategy
While TDP took proactive steps to refine the bill, YSR Congress (YCP) completely failed to contribute.
Despite publicly opposing the bill, YCP did not propose any amendments that could have addressed concerns from the local Muslim community. Instead, the party chose to take a passive stance, knowing that the bill would passed regardless of their opposition.
A political observer remarked,
“At the very least, YCP could have suggested amendments to safeguard the interests of the Muslim community. Instead, they chose to sit on the sidelines.”
Conclusion: TDP’s Strategic Move Strengthens the Bill
With TDP’s three key amendments approved, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill set to be a landmark reform in Waqf property governance. Meanwhile, YCP’s inaction has only further diminished its credibility in the debate.
As the bill heads to Parliament tomorrow, all eyes will be on how this historic legislation unfolds.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this crucial parliamentary session!