On Thursday, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju presented a bill aimed at amending the legislation that governs Waqf boards. This initiative has sparked protests from Opposition Members of Parliament, who have labeled it as “draconian” and an effort to “divide the country” along religious lines. In response to these accusations, the government asserted that it would play a significant role in the regulation of Waqf properties, dismissing the claims made by the Opposition.
The government contended that the Waqf board had been infiltrated by criminal elements and emphasized that the proposed changes would not infringe upon the autonomy of any religious organization. The bill seeks to rename the Waqf Act of 1995 to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, with the objective of enhancing the registration process for Waqf properties via a centralized portal.
OPPOSITION SAYS BILL AGAINST MINORITIES
Congress leader KC Venugopal characterized the bill as “draconian” and a “fundamental assault” on the Constitution. He asserted that the legislation would foster religious discord and animosity among communities. “Every mosque is embroiled in disputes where no deed exists. The primary objective is to incite conflict and provoke anger among communities, leading to violence,” he stated.
Venugopal connected the Waqf bill to the forthcoming Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.
“This legislation represents a fundamental assault on the Constitution. It includes a provision allowing non-Muslims to serve as members of the Waqf governing council,” the Congress leader remarked.
Labeling the bill as a “direct infringement on religious freedom,” Venugopal criticized the central government, stating, “Next, they will target Christians, then Jains. The people of India will not accept this kind of divisive politics any longer.”
“We are Hindus, yet we hold respect for the beliefs of other religions. This bill is specifically designed for the elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. You fail to recognize that the people of India taught you a clear lesson last time. This is an assault on the federal structure,” he further elaborated.
DMK MP Kanimozhi contended that the bill contravenes Article 30, which pertains to the rights of minorities to manage their institutions. “This bill specifically targets a certain religious community,” she added.
Supriya Sule, representing her father Sharad Pawar’s faction in the NCP, called for the bill to be either retracted or referred to a standing committee. “Please refrain from advancing agendas without proper consultations,” she criticized the central government.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his opposition to the bill, claiming it obstructed his ability to pray.
The legislation contravenes fundamental judicial principles. The government is imposing restrictions on the administration of the Waqf board. Hindu boards are acknowledged based on tradition and practice. “You are preventing me from performing my prayers,” he stated. In his remarks, Owaisi labeled the government as anti-Muslim, asserting, “A Hindu can transfer his entire property, yet I am unable to do so in the name of Allah. There is no equivalent provision for Hindu boards or the Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.” Significant amendments proposed in the bill include the establishment of a Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards, which would incorporate representation from Muslim women and non-Muslims. Should the proposed bill be enacted, it would designate the District Collector as the authority to determine whether a property is classified as Waqf property or government land.
BILL NOT DISCRIMINATORY, CENTRE REBUFFS
Rijiju stated that the proposed legislation does not seek to infringe upon the rights of any religious organization. He emphasized, “This bill is intended to grant rights to those who have historically been denied them, rather than to take away anyone’s rights.”
He further noted that the current bill is grounded in the findings of the Sachar Committee report, which was established by the Congress party, and expressed concern that Muslims are being misled by political partisanship.
In 2005, a high-level committee, consisting of seven members and led by former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Rajinder Sachar, was commissioned by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to assess the social, economic, and educational status of Muslims in India.
Rijiju remarked that the “Waqf board has been infiltrated by criminal elements,” and mentioned that the government has received over a hundred complaints regarding land encroachments. Union Minister and JD(U) representative Rajiv Ranjan Singh addressed the accusations from opposition members, asserting that the bill is not anti-Muslim. He characterized the legislation as inclusive and not conducive to religious discord.
“This legislation aims to enhance transparency. The Opposition’s comparisons to temples are a distraction from the core issue. KC Venugopal should clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths of thousands of Sikhs. Who was the taxi driver responsible for Indira Gandhi’s assassination? Now, the focus is on minorities,” he stated.
The TDP, a significant ally of the BJP-led NDA, along with the JD(U), expressed support for the Waqf bill, asserting that it is the government’s duty to implement reforms and clarify the bill’s objectives. He also indicated that the government would not oppose referring the bill to a select committee.