The Uttarakhand Waqf Board chairman, Shadab Shams, has spoken in favour of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. On Wednesday, he strongly criticised the opposition for opposing the bill and said that poor Muslims trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. While talking to the news agency ANI, he described the situation as "70 saal vs. Modi Karyakal" (PM Modi’s term versus the past 70 years).

Shadab Shams criticises the opposition

Shams stated that the central government, under PM Modi, has decided to bring poor Muslims into the mainstream. He said, "Poor Muslims have hopes from PM Modi, and that is why we have named this amendment bill 'Ummeed'. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is the ray of hope. PM Modi's government has decided that it will bring the poor Muslims into the mainstream. It is '70 Saal vs. Modi Karyakal'".

Shams also accused the opposition parties of misusing Waqf resources for years. He claimed, "They (the opposition) looted the Waqf. They looted the rights of the poor. They are scaring the Muslims by saying that mosques will be taken away. Those who are opposing are not Muslims. They are political Muslims of Congress, the Samajwadi Party, the AAP, and the Janata Dal. There are NGOs and committees behind them, such as Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the Muslim Personal Law Board, who want to go to the Rajya Sabha through a backdoor. All of them are Waqf beneficiaries. They are worried that it would be taken away from them. They are worried because it will be taken away from the rich. We are sure that PM Modi will pass the Waqf Amendment Bill and give the poor Muslims their rights."

What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024?

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 aims to improve the management and regulation of Waqf properties. It seeks to update the Waqf Act, 1995, by renaming the act, redefining Waqf, improving registration processes, and using technology for record-keeping. The bill was first introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2023, after which a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), led by Jagdambika Pal, was formed to review it.

The bill is scheduled to be introduced in Parliament today. After the Question Hour, it will be presented, followed by an 8-hour discussion, which may be extended if needed. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress have asked their MPs to be present in Parliament. The allies of both parties have also given similar instructions to their MPs for April 2 and 3.

Meanwhile, the opposition is against the bill. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief whip Dharmendra Yadav has asked all SP MPs in the Lok Sabha to participate in the discussion.

The Waqf Act, 1995, was initially created to regulate Waqf properties. However, concerns about mismanagement, corruption, and illegal occupation of these properties have led to the need for amendments. The government believes that the new bill will help solve these issues and ensure fair distribution of Waqf resources, especially for the benefit of poor Muslims.

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