Muslim women group raises concerns about Waqf Board's functioning before Joint Parliamentary Committee

New Delhi [India], November 4 (ANI): Annother meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 chaired by the BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, held on Monday in Parliament House Annexe witnessed broad support from Muslim women group for the proposed legislation aimed at enhancing the management and regulation of Waqf properties in India.
This was indeed the first time a women's group was called by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Specifically, the Muslim Women Intellectual Group, led by Shalini Ali, was invited to share their views and suggestions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
As per the sources, the Women Intellectual Group also raised multiple questions about the functioning of Waqf Board. The group alleged that the Waqf Board has no role in social welfare. The Board is controlled by few influential individuals who are not in favour of giving representation or share to women and marginalized sections of society in Waqf affairs.
Muslim Women Group asked the Waqf Board to clarify its social welfare activities. The group also sought detailed clarification from the Waqf Board, specifically the assistance provided to orphans, widows, divorced women and those seeking widow remarriage. They also sought information on measures taken by the Waqf Board against land mafias.
Besides the Muslim women's group, several other organizations also presented their views and suggestions before the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
Jamiyat Himaytul Islam led by Qari Abrar Jamal also appeared before the committee. Sources said that Jamal also raised the issue about the role of the Waqf Board in social welfare and corruption in its functionaries. Jamal asked that what social welfare activities are undertaken by the Waqf Board? Also, what measures have the Waqf Boards taken against land mafias?
Jamal also suggested that role of Mutwallis should be reduced and the Collector should oversight on Waqf matter. He also suggested that job-oriented projects should be initiated on Waqf land, excluding mosques, shrines and cemeteries. He strongly said that it's time to end the mafia's reign in the Waqf Board and Waqf properties should be leased or rented at market rates.
In today's meeting, Shia Muslim Dharmgurus and Intellectuals led by Maulana Kokab Mujtaba also appeared before the committee. After the meeting, Mujtaba said that we put our point in the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
"Auqaf have been destroyed since the passing of the Waqf Act in 1954. If Auqaf has not been looted, then a report should be sought from every Waqf Board to find out the number of registered Auqaf and taxes, etc. When this question is raised in front of the officials sitting on Waqf, they become uncomfortable. I appeal to the Government of India to pass the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 as soon as possible and FIR should be registered against those who looted Waqf property," he said.
Another organisation named Vishwa Shanti Parishad led by Faiz Ahmad Faiz also recorded its views and suggestions before the committee.
As per the sources, in principle he supported the proposed bill. But, on the issue of appointment of District Collector as Survey Commissioner, he strongly opposed. He suggested that the role of Collector should be limited in Waqf matters and a ADM ranked muslim officer should be included in survey matter.
Faiz said that there are no restrictions on inclusion of women members in Waqf Board in existing law.
"Then, why opposition members and some organizations are opposing the clause of women members in proposed bill. This is the matter of justice, which needed," he said. He also mentoined that hundreds of non-Muslim caretakers are already part of the Waqf Board, suggesting that opposition to non-Muslims in the board is unwarranted.
However, a group named Jamaat-e-Islam-e-Hind, Delhi led by Malik Moatasim Khan also appeared before the JPC. As per the sources, the organisation strongly opposed the bill and said that the existing law is sufficient to deal Waqf matter and no need of new law. Khan said that Waqf Board is not only an organizational structure. It is also the matter of faith.
The Joint Committee of Parliament will also meet tomorrow on November 5. In this meeting, committee will record views and suggestions of Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad led by Shreehari Borikar, Anveshak led Gaurav Agarwal, Anjuman Shiateali Bohra led by Dawoodi Community Senior Counsel, Dr. Mohammad Hanif Ahmad (Associate Professor, AMU, Aligarh) and Dr. Imran Chudhary and Group, Convener, Student and Madarsa Cell on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Meanwhile, Opposition MPs in the Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill have written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking time to raise their points regarding frequent meeting of JPC. Birla has given them appointment at 01:30pm on Tuesday.
The Waqf Act, 1995, which was created to regulate waqf properties, has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption and encroachments.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is holding a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members and community representatives from different states and Union Territories, aiming for the most comprehensive reform possible. (ANI)