New Delhi:
In a heated debate in the Lok Sabha, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi vehemently warned the government against proceeding with the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in its current form, cautioning that it could lead to significant social instability. Owaisi’s strong stance was echoed by other opposition members who protested the handling of their dissent notes by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill.
Owaisi emphasized that the bill violates key articles of the Indian Constitution, specifically Articles 25, 26, and 14, and has been universally rejected by the Muslim community. He asserted that Waqf properties, which are integral to Muslim worship and community life, cannot be taken away or managed in a manner that undermines their religious and cultural significance.
The controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 has been escalating, with opposition MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Md. Nadimul Haque expressing outrage over the removal of crucial portions from their dissent notes without their consent. In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on February 3, 2025, the MPs condemned the arbitrary deletion of their objections, highlighting a lack of transparency and due process.
The JPC, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, submitted its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 to the Lok Sabha Speaker on January 30, 2025. Despite the opposition’s dissent, the report was adopted through a majority vote. The bill aims to introduce several reforms, including digitization, enhanced audits, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties, in an effort to address long-standing issues of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments in Waqf administration.
The proposed amendments include stakeholder consultations, independent oversight, and protections for existing occupants and leaseholders of Waqf properties. The bill also mandates stricter recordkeeping, digital documentation, and periodic audits to prevent mismanagement and corruption. However, critics argue that these provisions could potentially allow government or quasi-government bodies to legalize illegal occupations of Waqf properties, further complicating the already contentious issue.
The management of Waqf properties, which are valued at Rs 1.2 lakh crore and span 940,000 acres, has been marred by controversies, encroachments, and mismanagement. The ongoing debate highlights the critical importance of these properties to Muslim communities in India and the need for a balanced and inclusive approach to their governance.
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