Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Opposes Waqf Amendment Bill 2024
On October 9, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), declared his opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. This announcement was made during a meeting with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, led by President Maulana Khalid Saifullah.
CM Soren stated, “We will never support the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in parliament, if presented.” He explained that the bill weakens the Waqf Act and could lead to the usurpation of Waqf properties. Soren emphasized that the bill contradicts the Constitution, democratic values, federalism, and the country’s pluralistic structure.
Maulana Mohd. Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi, General Secretary of the Muslim Personal Law Board, briefed the Chief Minister on the bill’s provisions. S. Q. R. Ilyas, an executive member, urged Soren to support their fight against minority suppression. CM Soren assured his support, promising to oppose the bill in parliament and pass a cabinet resolution against it.
Hafizul Hasan Ansari, Minister of Minority Affairs, was present during the discussions. The Waqf Amendment Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, aims to reform Waqf property management, addressing issues like mismanagement and corruption. It proposes digitisation, stricter audits, and legal measures to reclaim illegally occupied properties.
Doubts Revealed
Jharkhand -: Jharkhand is a state in eastern India, known for its rich mineral resources and diverse culture. The capital city of Jharkhand is Ranchi.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in an Indian state. Hemant Soren is the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
Hemant Soren -: Hemant Soren is an Indian politician and the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He is a member of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha party.
Waqf -: Waqf is a religious endowment in Islam, where property or money is donated for religious or charitable purposes. It is managed by a Waqf board in India.
Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 -: The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is a proposed law in India that aims to change how Waqf properties are managed. It includes plans for digitisation and stricter audits of these properties.
All India Muslim Personal Law Board -: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board is an organization in India that works to protect and promote Muslim personal laws. It often discusses issues related to Islamic laws and practices.
Digitisation -: Digitisation means converting information into a digital format. In the context of the Waqf Amendment Bill, it refers to managing Waqf properties using computers and the internet.
Stricter audits -: Stricter audits mean more thorough checks and reviews of financial records. This is to ensure that Waqf properties are managed properly and transparently.