The upcoming winter session of the Indian Parliament has been officially scheduled to run from November 25 through December 20, 2024, according to an announcement by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The session is expected to be pivotal, as it comes soon after assembly election results in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, set to be announced just two days prior to the session’s start.
Rijiju noted that this session would also mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution, to be celebrated on Constitution Day, November 26, in the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan. He stated, “Hon’ble President, on the recommendation of Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Winter Session, 2024.” This marks the third session of the 18th Lok Sabha since the NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was re-elected with a historic third consecutive term, equalling Jawaharlal Nehru’s record.
One of the most anticipated legislative items is the Waqf Amendment Bill, which is reportedly being prioritized by the government for passage during this session. The bill proposes amendments to the 1995 Waqf Act, which governs Islamic charitable endowments. Although the government has yet to formally unveil its legislative agenda, insiders suggest that the bill may be introduced for debate and a potential vote. The proposed amendments have already been met with opposition from the Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), led by Congress, which has raised concerns about the bill’s current provisions. The legislation was previously referred to a joint parliamentary committee for further examination, allowing for more comprehensive review ahead of a full parliamentary debate.
As the winter session approaches, it is likely to draw considerable attention due to the high-stakes legislative agenda and its timing with recent election outcomes, which could set the stage for key policy discussions as the government heads into 2025.
