'Null And Void': CM Atishi Rejects Delhi Waqf Board Report; Oppn MPs Stage Walkout Of JPC Meet

Delhi CM Atishi said that the report submitted by the Delhi Waqf Board was 'null and void' as it was submitted without the AAP government's approval.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday said that the Delhi Waqf Board report must be treated as "null and void" as it was submitted without getting the Delhi government's approval. She stated this in a letter addressed to Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) chairman BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.

"This report has been submitted by IAS Ashwini Kumar (administrator of the Delhi Waqf Board) without the approval of the government of the NCT of Delhi and therefore may be treated as ab initio null and void. Any presentation on the same may be cancelled till a report is submitted with the approval of the Government of NCT of Delhi," the letter noted.

The development came after several opposition members staged a walk out of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf Amendment Bill on October 28, protesting over the Delhi Waqf Board's report.

Opposition members claimed that the Delhi Waqf Board administrator, who had appeared before the Committee, had made changes to the presentation without the Delhi government's knowledge, news agency PTI reported.

AAP member Sanjay Singh, Congress' Naseer Hussain and Mohamed Jawed, and DMK's Mohammed Abdulla, were among those who walked out of the JPC meeting. The Opposition members alleged that the Delhi Waqf Board Administrator Ashwini Kumar along with MCD Commissioner had completely altered the initial report of the Waqf Board without seeking chief minister Atishi's approval. 

Earlier today, JPC Chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal said that the Delhi Waqf Board, Punjab Waqf Board, and Haryana Waqf Board had been called for discussions to engage stakeholders before presenting a comprehensive report that will eventually lead to the amendment.

"Our aim is to engage all state stakeholders to present a comprehensive report that will lead to an amendment by the government. This report should benefit the poor, backward classes, and common Muslims regarding their education and health," the JPC chairman said.

The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 was tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Centre on August 8, with an aim to streamline the Waqf Board's workings and ensure proper management of the Waqf properties. It also called for the representation of women and Non-Muslims in the  Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards.

However, after strong objections from the Opposition, the bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.