Mahbubnagar, Telangana: Asaduddin Owaisi, the Chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has strongly criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, calling for a nationwide protest against the proposed legislation. Speaking at a protest gathering in Telangana, Owaisi condemned the bill, asserting that it poses a threat to constitutional values and the rights of the Muslim community.
Owaisi addressed a large crowd, stating, “We have gathered here today on behalf of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by the Modi government. This bill is against the Constitution and undermines our rights.” The AIMIM chief emphasized that the bill’s implications extend beyond legal frameworks, touching upon core issues of religious freedom and community rights.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes significant changes to the Waqf Act of 1995, renaming it the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. Key provisions of the bill include defining “Waqf” as property held by someone practicing Islam for at least five years and ensuring that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad (charitable endowments) does not infringe upon women’s inheritance rights.
Additionally, the bill seeks to amend the powers of the Waqf Board, removing Section 40 which allows the Board to determine if a property is Waqf. It proposes that Mutawallis (managers of Waqf properties) file their accounts through a central portal, aims to reform the Tribunal structure, and establish a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis. The bill was introduced in Parliament during the budget session and has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further examination.
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On August 30, the JPC, chaired by MP Jagadambika Pal, convened its second meeting at the Parliament House Annexe. The committee sought feedback from various Muslim organizations, including the All India Sunni Jamiyatul Ulama, Indian Muslims for Civil Rights, and regional Waqf Boards. During the discussions, concerns were raised about several clauses, particularly the notion of ‘Waqf by Users,’ which some argued infringes on religious practices and beliefs.
Sources indicate that the contentious aspects of the bill, especially those related to religious autonomy, sparked intense debate. The Muslim organizations have voiced their apprehensions, stressing that such legislative changes could undermine traditional practices and community control over Waqf properties.
Owaisi’s call for a nationwide protest aims to mobilize public opinion and pressure the government to reconsider the bill. The AIMIM leader’s stance highlights the growing unrest within the Muslim community over perceived governmental overreach into religious and personal matters.
The outcome of the JPC’s deliberations and the subsequent legislative process will be closely watched for its impact on community rights and interfaith relations in India.
