Concerns Raised Over Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 by AIMPLB
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) spokesperson, SQR Ilyas, has expressed serious concerns about the Joint Parliamentary Committee’s (JPC) handling of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. He claims there have been constitutional and procedural violations, including changes to previously agreed dates.
On Wednesday, Ilyas stated that the JPC should only seek input from stakeholders directly involved with Waqf matters. However, the committee is reportedly consulting with Central Ministries, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), RSS-affiliated organizations, and other groups without standing in society.
Opposition members in the JPC have previously written to the Lok Sabha Speaker, complaining about the conduct of the committee’s chairman, Jagdambika Pal. Recently, six opposition members reiterated their disappointment, claiming the chairman’s behavior is obstructing fair discussion.
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, initially introduced in Parliament, faced significant opposition, leading to its referral to the JPC. AIMPLB demands that their objections and those of reputable Muslim organizations be seriously considered, excluding unrelated parties. They urge the JPC to follow guidelines and ensure comprehensive discussions before submitting its report.
The Waqf Act of 1995, established to regulate Waqf properties, has faced allegations of mismanagement and corruption. The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 aims to introduce reforms like digitization, stricter audits, transparency, and legal measures to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is conducting meetings to gather input from various stakeholders to ensure comprehensive reforms.
Doubts Revealed
Waqf -: Waqf is a religious endowment in Islam, where property or money is donated for religious or charitable purposes. It is like a trust that helps support mosques, schools, or the poor.
Amendment Bill -: An amendment bill is a proposal to change or add to an existing law. In this case, the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is about changing the rules related to Waqf properties.
AIMPLB -: AIMPLB stands for All India Muslim Personal Law Board. It is an organization in India that works to protect and promote Muslim personal laws, like marriage and inheritance, according to Islamic principles.
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee is a group of members from both houses of the Indian Parliament. They come together to discuss and review specific issues or bills, like the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.
Constitutional and procedural violations -: Constitutional violations mean breaking the rules set by the country’s constitution, which is the highest law. Procedural violations mean not following the correct steps or processes that are required by law.
Stakeholders -: Stakeholders are people or groups who have an interest or concern in something. In the case of the Waqf Amendment Bill, stakeholders would be those directly involved with Waqf properties, like trustees or beneficiaries.
Mismanagement and corruption -: Mismanagement means handling something poorly or inefficiently. Corruption involves dishonest or illegal behavior, especially by people in power. The bill aims to fix these issues in Waqf property management.
