BJP Leaders Call for Changes in Waqf Board Act
New Delhi, India, August 4: BJP leader Shazia Ilmi has called for significant amendments to the Waqf Board Act, citing widespread corruption and misuse of land. She pointed out that the Waqf Board holds a vast amount of land in India, with 8,50,000 properties registered under its name. Ilmi stressed the urgent need to curb corruption and improve the Act.
Ilmi stated, “There is a great need for improvement in this. In our country, after Defence and Railways, the Waqf Board holds the most land. An Act was made in 1954 and amended in 1995, granting it unlimited powers. There are 8,50,000 properties registered under the board’s name. Islamic countries like Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon do not have the concept of Waqf.”
She added, “There is so much corruption in it. The common Muslims are not benefiting from it; rather, only those who have usurped the land are. 77 per cent of Delhi’s land is under the Waqf Board. Some people are operating like a mafia in this. There is an urgent need to curb corruption. There are 32 state Waqf boards and one central body under the government, but the way their selection is done leaves a lot of scope for corruption.”
BJP leader Mohsin Raza also supported the call for amendments, stating, “There are lakhs of Waqf properties across the country and people are not getting justice. They (Waqf Board) go beyond their powers and harass people. There are many such properties and many such issues which should come directly to the government. Waqf was created for the upliftment of backward Muslims and it has not been used properly, it has just been misused. So it is obvious that there is a need to take out the Waqf properties which have come under the control of a few people and the properties which have been registered in the boards illegally should also be taken out. This is a matter of public interest and it should be brought.”
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
Shazia Ilmi -: Shazia Ilmi is a politician and a member of the BJP. She is known for her work and speeches on various social and political issues.
Mohsin Raza -: Mohsin Raza is another politician from the BJP. He has held various positions in the government and is involved in political activities.
Waqf Board Act -: The Waqf Board Act is a law in India that governs the management of Waqf properties. Waqf properties are lands or buildings given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
amendments -: Amendments are changes or additions made to a law or a document to improve it or update it.
corruption -: Corruption means dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by powerful people like government officials or police officers.
misuse of land -: Misuse of land means using land in a way that is not allowed or intended, often for personal gain or illegal activities.
8,50,000 properties -: This means that the Waqf Board has 8,50,000 pieces of land or buildings registered under its name in India.
government control -: Government control means that the government would manage and oversee the properties to ensure they are used properly and for the benefit of the public.
