Asaduddin Owaisi Criticizes Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 25: The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi has criticized the ‘Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024,’ which suggests that a district collector should handle disputes regarding Waqf properties.
Owaisi questioned, “Narendra Modi is saying that under Section 3 of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, if the government has taken over a Waqf property, then the district collector will resolve the dispute. However, how can a collector be a judge in his own case? This is against the principles of natural justice.”
He added, “In six states, the government has seized Waqf properties. In Delhi, the government has taken over 200 Waqf properties. In such cases, will any collector acknowledge that a property is Waqf? Why would any collector pass a judgement against the government?”
Owaisi further alleged that the Modi-led government aims to take Muslim land through the Waqf amendment. He said, “The Modi government aims to take away mosques, graveyards, and agricultural land under the mosque.”
He also described Waqf properties as private property and criticized the Modi government for turning it into a public matter. “Waqf properties are private property, not public property, given by our Muslim brothers. So why is the government making it a public matter?” Owaisi questioned.
On the issue of electing non-Muslim members to the Waqf board, Owaisi said, “The Modi government wants to appoint non-Muslim members. Now listen carefully, in UP, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Act of 1983 states that only Hindu members are eligible to be part of the board. It also says, if a Hindu member is not eligible, then another Hindu will take their place.”
The Joint Parliamentary Committee, comprising 31 members–21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha–has been tasked with thoroughly examining the bill. Today’s meeting underscored the challenges ahead in achieving a consensus on the issue.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha, has said that the JPC will submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the winter session of Parliament. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced during the budget session of Parliament. The government has stated that the amendments are necessary to streamline the functioning of Waqf properties and ensure better governance. Opposition parties, however, have raised concerns about potential overreach and the implications for the autonomy of Waqf institutions.
Doubts Revealed
Asaduddin Owaisi -: Asaduddin Owaisi is an Indian politician and the leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party. He is known for speaking up on issues affecting Muslims in India.
Waqf -: Waqf is a type of charitable trust in Islam where property or money is donated for religious or charitable purposes. The property is used to help the community, like building schools or mosques.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 -: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a proposed law in India that aims to change how disputes over Waqf properties are handled. It suggests that district collectors, who are government officials, should manage these disputes.
District collectors -: District collectors are government officials in India who are responsible for the administration of a district. They handle various tasks like revenue collection, law and order, and implementing government policies.
Natural justice principles -: Natural justice principles are basic rules that ensure fairness in legal and administrative decisions. They include the right to a fair hearing and the rule against bias.
Modi government -: The Modi government refers to the current government of India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Non-Muslim members -: Non-Muslim members are people who do not follow the Islamic faith. In this context, it refers to the proposal of appointing people who are not Muslims to the Waqf board, which traditionally manages Muslim charitable properties.
Minority Affairs Minister -: The Minority Affairs Minister is a government official in India responsible for the welfare and development of minority communities, like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and others. Kiren Rijiju is the current minister.
Joint Parliamentary Committee -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee is a group of members from both houses of the Indian Parliament. They review and discuss proposed laws to make sure they are fair and effective before they become official.