‘Will Muslims be included in devaswom board? Ugly agenda behind it’, logjam in Lok Sabha over Waqf Bill

NEW DELHI: The Waqf Amendment Bill is being introduced in the Lok Sabha amid stiff disagreement from the opposition. A severe protest was raised by the opposition while the resolution on the bill was being introduced.

The protest alleged encroachment on religious issues. However, Minister Kiran Rijiju said in the Lok Sabha that the bill does not question the constitution or freedom of religion and the bill is to protect the interests of minorities. He said that mafia rule cannot be allowed anymore.

The India Alliance reacted against the bill in harsh language. K C Venugopal's question was whether Muslims will be included in the Devaswom Board. E T Mohammed Basheer said that there is an ugly agenda behind the bill.

The Samajwadi Party responded that the introduction of the bill was an injustice to the Muslims and a big mistake was going to be made and the consequences would have to be felt for many years. The Trinamool Congress said the bill was against religious freedom and the DMK said it was against minorities.

The new bill will amend the Waqf Act, 1995 to ensure representation of Muslim women and non-Muslim members in Central and State Waqf Boards and Councils and another bill will be introduced to repeal the Waqf Act, 1923. A copy of the bill was given to members before it was introduced in the House. The centre said the aim of the new bill is to manage better the Waqf properties earmarked under Islamic law for religious or charitable purposes.

The central government also said that the amendment will empower Muslim women and children. The government clarified that the bill is to prevent illegal encroachment by the Waqf Boards, which have the largest land holdings in the country after the railways and the army. The Waqf Boards currently control properties worth Rs 1.2 lakh crore spread over 9.4 lakh acres across India.

Waqf Board
Waqfs are properties held for religious or charitable purposes recognized by Islamic law. The Waqf Board is the legal body responsible for managing the Waqf properties and using them for religious, devotional or charitable purposes. The management and utilization of Waqf assets, which include mosques, graveyards, orphanages, schools and other institutions, are under the board's jurisdiction.