CPM meeting on Waqf Board Amendment Bill.
Another meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was held today at the Parliament House Annex under the chairmanship of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal. In this sense, the Muslim women’s group gave its support to the proposed law aimed at rationalizing the management of the Waqf.
This was the first time that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) convened a group of women. In particular, the Muslim Women Intellectual Group led by Shalini Ali was invited to share their views and suggestions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
According to sources, the group of women intellectuals raised many questions regarding the functioning of the Waqf Board. The group alleges that the Waqf Board plays no role in social welfare. The board is controlled by some influential people, who are not in favor of giving representation or participation to women and disadvantaged sections of the society in the affairs of the Waqf.
A group of Muslim women asked the Waqf Board to clarify its social welfare activities. The group also sought detailed clarifications from the Waqf Board on the assistance provided especially to orphans, widows, divorced women and those seeking remarriage. He also sought information on the measures taken by the Waqf Board against the land mafia.
Apart from the Muslim Women’s Group, many other organizations also presented their views and suggestions to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Jamiat Himayatul Islam, under the leadership of Qari Abrar Jamal, also appeared before the committee. Sources said Jamal also raised the issue of the Waqf Board’s role in social welfare and corruption among its officials.
Jamal asked what social welfare works the Waqf Board does. Also, what measures has the Waqf Board taken against the land mafia? He suggested that the role of mutawallis should be reduced and the collector should control the waqf matter.
He also suggested that employment-oriented projects should be started on Waqf lands, except mosques, dargahs and graveyards. He also said that now the time has come to end mafia rule in the Waqf Board and that Waqf properties should be given on lease or rent at market rates.
In today’s meeting, Shia Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals also appeared before the committee under the leadership of Maulana Kokab Mujtaba. After the meeting, Mujtaba said we presented our views in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Auqaf has been destroyed since the passing of the Waqf Law in 1954.
If the Auqaf has not been looted, a report must be requested from each Waqf Board so that the number of registered Auqaf and taxes etc. can be determined. When this question arises, the officials sitting in the Waqf feel uncomfortable. I appeal to the Government of India to pass the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 at the earliest and register an FIR against those who looted the Waqf properties.
Another organization called the World Peace Council, under the leadership of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, also registered its opinions and suggestions before the committee. According to sources, he supported the bill in principle. But he expressed his strong opposition to the issue of appointment of district collector to the post of inspection commissioner.
He suggested that the role of the Collector in Waqf matters should be limited and that a Muslim officer of ADM rank should participate in the matter of the survey. Faiz said that in the current law there are no restrictions on including women members in the Waqf Board. So why do opposition members and some organizations oppose the inclusion of women in the bill?
He said that this is a question of justice, which was necessary. He also said that hundreds of non-Muslim caretakers already serve on the Waqf Board, suggesting that opposition to non-Muslims on the board is unfair.
However, a group called Jamaat-e-Islam-e-Hind, Delhi, led by Malik Moatasim Khan also appeared before the JPC. According to sources, the organization has strongly opposed this bill and said that the existing law is sufficient to address the issue of Waqf and there is no need for a new law. Khan said that the Waqf Board is not just an organizational structure. This is also a matter of faith.
