The central government is going to amend the Waqf Board Act to reduce the unlimited powers given to the Waqf Board and make its system transparent. The central government is going to introduce two important bills in the Lok Sabha to provide representation to Muslim women, other backward classes of Muslim society, Shia, Sunni, Bohra and Aagakhani. The draft law provides for the representation of Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis and other backward classes among Muslim communities.
It is said that through the first bill, important amendments will be brought in the Wakf Act 1955, while through the second bill, the Muslim Wakf Act 1923 will be abolished. The Bill which seeks to amend the law governing waqf boards has proposed far-reaching changes in the present Act, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill also seeks to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It is expected that 44 amendments will be made.
Why was the amendment needed?
The government says that the amendment in the Waqf Board Act is to streamline the method of registration of Waqf through a central portal and database. It states that before registering any property as a Waqf property, action will be taken as per revenue laws with proper notice to all concerned. According to the report, the government says that the purpose behind the amendment bill is to increase accountability and transparency in the functioning of Waqf Boards. Mandatory participation of women in these bodies is to be ensured. The government has said that this amendment is being made on the demand of the Muslim community.
According to its statement of objects and reasons, the Bill seeks to omit Section 40 of the current law relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is waqf property. It provides for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and ensures the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in such bodies.
Advocate Vishnu Jain criticizes Modi govt on WAQF amendment act
Advocate Vishnu Jain who is known for his constant fight for Hindu Temples has criticized the Modi govt on WAQF amendment act
He said that
- Our recommendations to the JPC were completely ignored.
- The Waqf Amendment Bill fails to include any mechanism for reclaiming properties seized by the Waqf Board.
- It doesn’t address the core issues or offer real solutions.”
Modi Govt Gets Support From Unexpected Quarter
Majority of the Islamic organisations are protesting against the Waqf Amendment Bill and the organisations have urged Muslims to tie black bands around their hand while offering Namaz in protest agains the Waqf bill. While the opposition parties like Congress are opposing the Bill, the ruling NDA has managed to build a consensus within on the issue. Amid the protests, the Narendra Modi government has got support from an unexpected quarters over the bill.
The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) has extending support to the Waqf Amendment Bill while requesting 20 Kerala MPs support the bill in Parliament. The KCBC urged Kerala MPs to vote in favour of amending the ‘;unconstitutional’ and ‘unjust’ provisions of the Waqf Act. In a statement, Fr. Thomas Tharayil of the KCBC secretariat said that provisions in the Waqf law, which legitimise the illegal claims in such a way that people in Munambam are unable to exercise their revenue claims on the land, need to be amended.
