Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal chaired a second meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 at the Parliament House Annexe. The Muslim women’s group backed the proposed law to reform the management of Waqf. This was the initial instance in which a women’s committee was summoned by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The Muslim Women Intellectuals Group, under the leadership of Shalini Ali, was asked to provide their thoughts and recommendations on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Sources have reported that the group of female intellectuals raised numerous inquiries regarding the operations of the Waqf Board. The group claims that the Waqf Board has no involvement in social welfare activities. Some influential individuals who control the board do not support providing representation or a share to women and marginalized groups in Waqf affairs.
The Muslim women’s group requested the Waqf Board for further information on its community service projects. The group also requested a thorough explanation from the Waqf Board regarding the support given to orphans, widows, divorced women, and those looking to remarry widows. They also inquired about the measures the Wakf Board has taken against land mafias.
In addition to the Muslim women’s group, numerous other organizations also shared their opinions and recommendations with the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Jamiat Himayatul Islam, under the leadership of Qari Abrar Jamal, also presented themselves in front of the committee. Reports indicate that Jamal mentioned the involvement of the Waqf Board in social welfare and corruption among its officials.
Jamal inquired about the social welfare projects carried out by the Waqf Board. Additionally, what actions has the Waqf Board implemented in response to the land mafia? He recommended decreasing the responsibilities of Mutwallis and having the Collector oversee Waqf affairs.
Additionally, he recommended that projects focused on providing employment should be initiated on Waqf property, with the exception of mosques, dargahs, and graveyards. He further stated that it is now time to eradicate mafia control in the Waqf Board and lease or rent Waqf properties at competitive market prices.
During the committee meeting today, Maulana Kokab Mujtaba along with other Shia Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals were present. Following the meeting, Mujtaba mentioned that we shared our opinions during the Joint Parliamentary Committee session. Auqaf have been ruined as a result of the implementation of the Waqf Act in 1954.
If the Auqaf have not been robbed, each Waqf Board must provide a report on the registered Auqaf and taxes. When this issue is raised, the Waqf officials get anxious. I urge the Indian Government to quickly approve the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and file a First Information Report against those who stole from the Waqf property.
Faiz Ahmad Faiz also headed Vishwa Shanti Parishad, another group that shared its perspectives with the committee. Sources reportedly indicated their general support for the proposed bill. However, they vehemently resisted the proposal to appoint the District Collector as the Survey Commissioner.
He proposed restricting the involvement of collectors in Wakf issues and recommended the inclusion of a Muslim officer of ADM rank in the survey process. Faiz mentioned that the current law does not have any limitations on including female members in the Wakf Board. Then what is the reason behind the opposition from opposition members and some organizations to including women members in the proposed bill.
Yet, another group named Jamaat-e-Islam-e-Hind, Delhi, under the leadership of Malik Moatasim Khan, also presented themselves in front of the JPC. Sources have indicated that the organization firmly rejects the bill, stating that the current law adequately addresses the issue of Waqf and that a new law is unnecessary. Khan stated that the Waqf Board is more than just a bureaucratic institution. It is also a question of belief.