New Delhi: The Center will introduce two bills to Parliament on Thursday to change the legislation governing Waqf Boards.
The revised list of business of the Lok Sabha mentions Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will move the bills.
The List reads: “Kiren Rijiju to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. Also, to introduce the Bill.”
The list further mentions, “Kiren Rijiju to move for leave to introduce a Bill to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923. Also, to introduce the Bill.”
Before moving the bills in the Lok Sabha Sabha, Minister Rijiju will seek the withdrawal of a law presented in the Rajya Sabha on February 18, 2014, during the tenure of Manmohan Singh’s UPA government. The Upper House list of business reads, “Kiren Rijiju to move for leave to withdraw a Bill to provide for the eviction of unauthorised occupants from waqf properties and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, The Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants), Bill, 2014.”
The Centre is introducing the bills amid the hue and cry over the ‘curtailing’ of powers of the Waqf Board, particularly by Muslim outfits.
The Bills are aimed at initiating significant reforms in the Waqf Board, making it mandatory for the body to include two women members on its panel, a move that could potentially reshape the Board’s dynamics.
The proposed amendments also include the central registration of Waqf property, a measure that could safeguard the rights of the Bohra community and ensure their fair representation.
The Amendment Bill also proposes to strip the Board of its power to declare any property as a ‘Waqf property’.
Section 40 of the existing Waqf Board Act will be repealed for this.
As per the details of the Waqf Amendment Bill, the Waqf Act of 1923 will be revoked, and the structure of the Waqf Act of 1995 will be altered by introducing 44 amendments to improve its functioning and operation. These changes are proposed to address the evolving needs of the Muslim community and to ensure the effective management and development of Waqf properties.
The proposed amendments also aim to enhance ‘inclusivity’ in the Waqf Board by ensuring women’s representation on the Central Waqf Council and state boards.
Proposed key changes in the new legislation are the renaming of the Waqf Act 1995 as Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995; changes to ensure adequate representation of all Muslim communities including Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Aghakhani and other backward classes; a separate Board of Auqaf has been proposed for Bohras and Aghakhanis Central Waqf Council and the state Waqf Boards will have representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims.
The proposed changes have also garnered significant support from various Dargah chiefs, a sign that the amendments are being viewed positively by influential voices in the community.
On Tuesday evening, a couple of them met Kiren Rijiju and announced support for the legislation.
Taking to X, the Union minister said, “A delegation of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) comprising the most revered and prominent Sajjadanashins from various Dargahs across India met me under the leadership of Shri Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman & amp; Successor of the Present Spiritual Head of Ajmer Dargah, to discuss a range of important issues concerning the Muslim community.
“They lauded PM Modi’s efforts towards the welfare of the entire community and minorities in general.”
According to reports, Waqf Boards have a land bank of nearly 8.7 lakh properties, with a total area of about 9.4 lakh acres. These properties, if managed effectively, can significantly contribute to the socio-economic development of the Muslim community.
–IANS
