Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad Calls for Discussion on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024
New Delhi [India], August 18: Shia cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad has called for a deep discussion before presenting the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. He stated that the government should have consulted Maulanas and Ulemas to spread awareness about the bill. He questioned, “Why didn’t they, while making the Waqf act, try to meet us? They should have talked to the Maulana and Ulema. Why didn’t they talk to us? Without consulting us they presented it. Awareness needs to spread since people do not know what loss they will have to face if the act is brought.”
The government introduced the bill in the budget session of Parliament, which concluded earlier this month. It was decided to send the legislation to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. The first meeting of the JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 will be held on August 22 in the Parliament House Annexe in the national capital. The committee is chaired by BJP member Jagdambika Pal and includes 21 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to rename the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It seeks to clearly define “waqf” and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not deny inheritance rights to women. The bill also proposes the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis, omits section 40 relating to the powers of the Board to decide if a property is waqf property, and provides for better control over waqf activities through a central portal. Additionally, it reforms the Tribunal structure and allows for appeals against Tribunal orders to the High Court within ninety days.
Doubts Revealed
Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad -: Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad is a respected religious leader in the Shia Muslim community in India. He often speaks on issues important to his community.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 -: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a proposed law that aims to change the existing rules about Waqf properties. Waqf properties are lands or buildings given for religious or charitable purposes in Islam.
Shia cleric -: A Shia cleric is a religious leader in the Shia branch of Islam. Shia Muslims are one of the two main groups in Islam, the other being Sunni Muslims.
Maulanas and Ulemas -: Maulanas and Ulemas are Islamic scholars and religious leaders. They have deep knowledge of Islamic teachings and laws.
Joint Parliamentary Committee -: A Joint Parliamentary Committee is a group of members from both houses of India’s Parliament. They review and discuss important bills before they become laws.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is currently the ruling party in the Indian government.
Jagdambika Pal -: Jagdambika Pal is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and serves in the Indian Parliament. He is the chairperson of the committee reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Waqf Act, 1995 -: The Waqf Act, 1995 is an existing law in India that governs the management of Waqf properties. The new bill aims to update and improve this law.
women’s inheritance rights -: Women’s inheritance rights refer to the legal rights of women to inherit property. The new bill includes provisions to ensure women can inherit Waqf properties.
