The Waqf Amendment Bill is poised for a final vote on January 29 in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The committee had been tasked with reviewing the bill by November 29, which was then extended to February 13, approved 14 changes to the draft. The 44 amendments proposed by the Opposition were rejected by its chairman BJP MP Jagadambika Pal.

The Opposition had accused the BJP of bias in several sittings of the committee leading to the suspension of several MPs, including Kalyan Banerjee of Trinamool Congress and Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM, both vocal critics of the Bill.

The Opposition MPs had also written to Speaker Om Birla against Pal, saying he was rushing the Bill to gain political mileage ahead of the Delhi Assembly election due to be held on February 5.

Earlier, reports had said Banerjee had broken a glass during a verbal altercation while in deliberations with BJP MP and former Calcutta HC judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay.

The Bill aims to reform Waqf Board administration, mandating the inclusion of non-Muslim and women members. The Central Waqf Council’s composition would also change, incorporating a Union minister, MPs, ex-judges, and individuals of national repute, regardless of religious affiliation. Crucially, the Council’s land acquisition powers would be removed. A controversial clause restricts donations to Muslims practicing their faith for at least five years, prompting concerns about religious freedom.

While proponents claim the bill empowers Muslim women and children, critics, including the Congress and the DMK, allege it infringes upon Articles 15 and 30 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of religion and the right of minorities to administer educational institutions. The final report is expected by January 31.

In a landmark move, Uttarakhand has become the first state after Goa to enforce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), introducing uniform regulations on marriage, divorce, property, inheritance, and adoption across communities. This decision fulfills a key promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2022 state assembly elections.

The Code, effective from today, aims to bring equality by standardizing personal laws, with specific rules tailored to promote fairness and modernity. Here’s a look at the key changes under the UCC:

Mandatory registration of live-in relationships

The Code mandates the registration of live-in relationships, requiring parental consent for individuals under the age of 21. Residents of Uttarakhand engaging in live-in relationships outside the state are also subject to this rule. Non-compliance, including providing false information or failing to declare a relationship, could lead to imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of ₹25,000, or both.

Marriage and divorce

Marriages must now be registered under the UCC, with the minimum age set at 21 years for men and 18 years for women across all religions. This change is intended to ensure individuals complete their education before marriage. The Code also imposes a ban on polygamy, child marriage, and triple talaq while establishing a uniform divorce process.

Inheritance and equality

The UCC eliminates gender bias in inheritance laws by ensuring that both sons and daughters are referred to as “child,” granting them equal inheritance rights. Children born out of live-in relationships are recognized as legitimate, ensuring they receive the same inheritance rights as other children.

Prohibited practices

Certain practices, such as nikah halala and iddat, followed by some sections of the Muslim community, have been banned under the new framework. The law also safeguards widows and divorcees against such practices.

Exemptions for Scheduled Tribes

The Code explicitly states that its provisions do not apply to Scheduled Tribes, acknowledging their distinct cultural and social practices.

The UCC’s introduction represents a significant step toward creating a uniform legal framework for citizens, bridging gaps in personal laws and ensuring equality among communities. With this move, Uttarakhand has set a precedent for other states, sparking discussions on the broader implementation of such a framework across the country.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a detailed clarification regarding the home voting facility for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 5, 2025. This initiative, designed to enhance accessibility for senior citizens (over 85 years old) and persons with disabilities (PwD), requires eligible voters to submit Form 12D to apply.

Upon approval, a polling team, comprising election officials and security personnel, will visit the voter’s residence prior to election day to facilitate the voting process.

Crucially, the ECI clarified that candidates or their authorized representatives will be permitted to accompany the polling team during these home visits. This provision addresses concerns raised by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, who had previously highlighted a video showing BJP representatives present during a home voting event.

While the ECI statement did not directly mention Kejriwal or any specific political party, the inclusion of candidate representatives aims to ensure transparency and alleviate concerns about potential irregularities. The commission’s statement emphasizes that the presence of representatives is permissible to uphold fairness and prevent any accusations of undue influence.

The ECI has received a significant number of applications for this facility: 6,447 from senior citizens and 1,058 from PwD voters. To date, 1,271 senior citizens and 120 PwD voters have already cast their ballots through this home voting system. The process itself involves the polling team providing the voter with a ballot paper, overseeing the casting of the vote, and ensuring strict adherence to ECI guidelines regarding confidentiality. To maintain transparency and accountability, the entire process is recorded on video.

The ECI unequivocally stated that participation in the home voting option is entirely voluntary. Voters choosing this method will not be allowed to cast their vote at a regular polling station on election day.

The commission reiterated its commitment to conducting free and fair elections and underscored the importance of this initiative in promoting inclusive participation in the democratic process. Voters facing any difficulties are urged to contact their local Returning Officer (RO) or district Election Officer (DEO), or utilize the central helpline at 1950.