Debate on Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Kashish Warsi and Asaduddin Owaisi Share Their Views

Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh) [India], August 8: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was presented in the Lok Sabha, sparking a debate among leaders. Kashish Warsi, President of the Indian Sufi Foundation, defended the bill, stating that radicals are currently controlling Waqf properties and that a committee of Sufis should be established to manage them. He emphasized that the bill has nothing to do with Shariat and should be passed after a thorough debate.

Warsi said, “The Bill has been referred to JPC. It is a new initiative, and suggestions have been invited and the same should be offered. As far as Shariat is concerned, it has nothing to do with Shariat. I say this responsibly – radicals are controlling the Waqf properties today, they are enemies of Sufism. Properties should be freed of them and a committee of Sufis should be set up. Secondly, dargah and mazar are for offering food to the poor, and not to fill one’s own pockets. Mazars are being controlled by radicals, they are filling their pockets. There should be a good debate on this Bill and it should be passed.”

On the other hand, AIMIM Chief and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi, opposed the bill, arguing that it contains dangerous sections that threaten the Waqf Board and the Muslim community. He claimed that the bill violates the principles of Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the Constitution and undermines judicial independence.

Owaisi said, “Before the introduction of the Bill, we had sent a notice to the Speaker – under Rule 72 – that we are against the introduction of this Bill. We believe that this Bill violates the principles of Articles 14, 15 and 25. This Bill violates the basic structure of the Constitution. It especially violates judicial independence and separations of powers. You want to snatch away the mosques that are being claimed by the RSS, snatch away the dargahs that are being claimed by right-wing Hindutva organisations. By removing the Waqf by User, you are asking them to bring the documents. If the 400-year-old document is not there, what changes will you make?”

Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju also spoke on the matter, accusing the Opposition of misleading Muslims. He mentioned that Muslim delegations have approached him, alleging that the mafia has taken over Waqf Boards and that amendments are necessary.

Rijiju said, “They (Opposition) are misleading Muslims. Till last night, Muslim delegations came to me. Many MPs have told me that the mafia has taken over Waqf boards. Some MPs have said that they support the bill but can’t say it due to their political parties. I will not take anyone’s name so that their political career is not ruined.”