decision-on-ucc-and-waqf-bill-lies-with-parliament-omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that his opinion on matters relating to Uttarakhand implementing the Uniform Civil Code and the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill will ultimately be decided at the national level in the parliament.

 

During his media address, Omar Abdullah said on Uttarakhand’s move to implement the UCC, “Let them do it. They may do what they want. The final decision will be made in Parliament."

 

On the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, he clarified that new legislation has not been enacted yet. He noted that the bill is currently under review by a parliamentary committee, with discussions underway.

 

Abdullah also highlighted that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has shared his views with the committee. “Let the committee do its work, and after that, there will be a debate in Parliament,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill approved the draft on Monday, incorporating 14 amendments proposed by members of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

 

JPC Chairperson Jagdambika Pal confirmed that the amendments were adopted through a majority vote, with 16 members supporting the changes and 10 opposing them.

 

“44 amendments were discussed clause by clause. After six months of detailed discussions, we sought amendments from all members. This was our final meeting... 14 amendments have been accepted by the committee based on a majority vote.

 

Also read: Uttarakhand becomes first state to implement Uniform Civil Code

 

The opposition also proposed amendments, but these were defeated with 10 votes in support and 16 votes against,” Pal said.

 

The Waqf Amendment Bill seeks to overhaul the Waqf Act of 1995, which governs the management of Waqf properties in India.

 

The bill has sparked controversy, with opposition parties claiming that it undermines the rights of Muslims and threatens India’s federal structure.

 

The views of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as head of the only majority Muslim state were important, as he was expected to raise his reservations against the Waqf Amendment Bill.

 

However, he denied commenting on the matter and said it would be decided by lawmakers in the parliament.