Government introduced bill in the House to change the Waqf law, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf Amendment Bill on Thursday. After opposition parties opposed the provisions in this bill, the government demanded to send it to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for investigation. Apart from this, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister also introduced the Muslim Waqf (Repeal) Bill 2024 in the House. Home Minister Amit Shah said that ever since the Waqf Act of 1995 was implemented, there was a need for repeal of the Muslim Waqf Act 1923.
Amit Shah accused the opposition of misleading Muslims. He said that there was a need to amend the existing bill because there were many mistakes in it. The Waqf Amendment Bill also aims to change the name of the Waqf Act 1995. It is reported that the Waqf Act 1995 will be renamed as the Integrated Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. Before introducing the bill in the House, it was shared with all Lok Sabha MPs on Tuesday night.
As soon as Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the bill in the House, opposition MPs started creating ruckus. The opposition unanimously targeted the government and said that this is an attack on the Constitution. In response, Rijiju said that the Waqf Bill will not interfere with the freedom of any religious community. He stressed that the draft law did not violate any provision of law.
On the other hand, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies Janata Dal-United (JDU) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supported the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. He said that the objective of the Waqf Amendment Bill is to bring transparency in the functioning of the Waqf Board. After the government introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha, JDU leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh stressed that the bill is not against Muslims.
He said, ‘Many members in the House raised their voice against the amendment in the Waqf Board Act, saying that it is anti-Muslim. During this, the opposition gave the example of Ram temple. Don’t you know the difference between a temple and an institution? This is not a matter related to interference in any mosque. This law is being brought for transparency in an institution.
Meanwhile, TDP MP Harish Balayogi said that if the government sends this bill to the parliamentary committee, our party will not have any problem. He said, ‘I support the concern of the government due to which this bill has been introduced. It is the responsibility of the government to bring transparency in the working of the system. We support this bill.
The government withdrew the Waqf Property (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Bill 2014 in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. There was a provision to make arrangements for eviction of unauthorized occupants from Waqf properties. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sought the House’s permission to withdraw the bill and members in the Rajya Sabha approved it by voice vote. On the other hand, CPI(M) MP John Brittas and IUML MP Abdul Wahab opposed the withdrawal of the bill.
#WATCH | On Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Munawwar Hasan says, ” This is an old charitable institution, we need to understand how Waqf’s properties are given. If I am giving you something as charity, but a 3rd person or district magistrate comes and tells… pic.twitter.com/fYzuqWXco9
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2024
What is WAQF Act o 1995?
The Waqf Act of 1995 is an important piece of legislation in India that governs the administration and management of Waqf properties. A waqf is an endowment made by a Muslim for religious, educational, or charitable purposes, and such properties are considered sacred and must be used for the benefit of the community.
The Act mandates the establishment of State Waqf Boards, which are responsible for the general supervision, administration, and control of Waqf properties. The Boards are also responsible for the maintenance of Waqf records and the administration of Waqf funds.
All Waqfs must be registered with the State Waqf Board. The registration process includes the submission of details such as the name of the Waqif (the person who creates the Waqf), the purpose of the Waqf, and the details of the properties endowed.
The Act mandates a survey of Waqf properties in each state to identify and record all Waqf properties. This survey is conducted by the government, and the results are published for public knowledge.
The Waqf Board has the power to manage and supervise Waqf properties. This includes the power to remove a mutawalli (the manager of the Waqf) if they are found to be mismanaging the Waqf or acting against the interests of the Waqf. The Board can also take over direct management of the Waqf if necessary.
Amendments and Reforms
The Waqf Act, 1995, has undergone several amendments to address various issues related to the administration of Waqf properties. The most notable amendment is the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013, which introduced several changes to improve the governance of Waqf properties, including stricter penalties for encroachment and better mechanisms for resolving disputes.
Importance of the Waqf Act, 1995
The Waqf Act, 1995, plays a crucial role in ensuring that Waqf properties are used for the purposes for which they were intended and that they are protected from mismanagement or illegal encroachment. It provides a legal framework for the management and preservation of these properties, which are an important part of the cultural and religious heritage of the Muslim community in India.