Waqf Amendment Bill: Asaduddin Owaisi urges nationwide protests
The bill seeks to repeal Section 40 under which the Waqf Board has power to decide whether a particular property is a Waqf property or not.
AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi has denounced the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 and has demanded protests across the nation. Addressing a protest meeting held at Nizamabad in Telangana on Monday, Owaisi declared that the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided to take up a protest all over the country against the bill and appealed to the Muslims fraternity across the nation to join the protest against proposed amendments.
The AIMIM chief stated “We have gathered here today on behalf of All India Muslim Personal Law Board because of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that has been brought by the Modi government.” The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has decided to launch a nationwide protest and make people aware of how this Bill is against the Constitution…”
Public and Stakeholder Engagement: Invitation for Suggestions on the Waqf Amendment Bill
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 contains provision to change the name of the act as mentioned in the Waqf Act, 1995 as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. The purpose of this amendment is to clarify the meaning of the word “Waqf” which relate to the property legally endowed by any person who is a follower of the Islamic faith and/or has been practicing the faith for at least five continuous years and is the legal owner of the property. Thus, it aims making sure that the establishment of Waqf-alal-aulad does not prejudice women’s right to inheritance.
The bill seeks to repeal Section 40 under which the Waqf Board has power to decide whether a particular property is a Waqf property or not. It also provides an added condition for the Mutawallis to file their Waqf accounts to the board through a central point thus increasing observation of their undertakings. Also, there is the restructuring of the Waqf Tribunal by forming a two member panel and providing an opportunity to appeal against any Tribunal order to the High Court within a period of ninety days.
The bill also outlined the formation of the Board of Auqaf especially for Bohara and Aghakhani communities. This was initially proposed during the budget session of the Parliament; the bill was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for analysis and detailed consideration.
On August 30, the second sitting of the Joint Parliament House, headed by MP Jagadambika Pal was held at the Parliament House Annexe. The committee summoned different renowned Muslim organizations such as All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Mumbai, Indian Muslims for Civil Rights – Delhi, Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, and Rajasthan Board of Muslim Waqf to express their concerns of the prepared Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Sources reported that the Muslim representatives had many issues of concern with provisions in the bill presented by the government. However, one of the major issues of discussion during the meeting was the ‘Waqf by Users.’ The Muslim organizations had to state that Waqf is grounded in religious belief as well as religious custom and that the government has no right to meddle with religious activities.
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has invited ideas and suggestions from the public, NGOs, experts, stakeholders, and institutions in this regard according to a press release by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
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