In a move to rename the current Waqf Act of 1995, the Waqf Board Amendment Bill, 2024 was tabled in the Parliament by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The bill has now been referred to a joint committee for further deliberation, amidst criticisms from various parties. The bill aims to establish a Central Waqf Council and give the district collector the power to determine the ownership of disputed lands, sparking concerns over interference in religious affairs.
Waqf Board Amendment Bill: A Controversial Move
Background:
The Waqf Board manages properties belonging to the Muslim community in India. The current Waqf Act was enacted in 1995. The Waqf Board Amendment Bill, 2024, proposed changes to this act.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
Criticism and Controversies:
The bill has faced criticism from various parties, including:
Current Status:
The Waqf Board Amendment Bill, 2024 has been referred to a joint committee for further deliberation. The committee is expected to submit its report by the next session of Parliament.
Top 5 FAQs on the Waqf Board Amendment Bill:
Q1: What is the purpose of the Waqf Board Amendment Bill? A: To amend the Waqf Act of 1995, primarily to establish a Central Waqf Council and give district collectors the power to determine disputed waqf land ownership.
Q2: Why is the bill controversial? A: Muslim leaders and opposition parties argue that it interferes in religious affairs and gives excessive power to the government.
Q3: What are the key changes proposed in the bill? A: Renaming of the act, establishment of a Central Waqf Council, and empowerment of district collectors in determining land ownership.
Q4: What is the current status of the bill? A: It has been referred to a joint committee for deliberation and report by the next parliamentary session.
Q5: What are the potential implications of the bill? A: Concerns have been raised about the government's increased control over Muslim properties and the possibility of disputes over land ownership.
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In a letter to the Joint Parliamentary Committee scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has raised concerns over the nearly 1.25 crore feedback submissions, calling for a probe into their sources. He questioned the statistical improbability of such a massive response arising organically from within India, and called for the investigation to cover the possible involvement of fundamentalist organisations, individuals like Zakir Naik, and foreign powers such as the ISI and China. The MP emphasized the need for the probe to preserve the fairness, integrity, and independence of the Waqf Bill deliberations.
BJP member Nishikant Dubey has raised concerns over the nearly 1.25 crore feedback submissions received by the parliamentary committee scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling for a probe into their sources, including the possible involvement of ISI and China. He believes the overwhelming response is statistically improbable and may have been orchestrated by foreign entities to manipulate the democratic process, posing a threat to national sovereignty. This demand for investigation highlights the contentious nature of the bill which seeks to interfere in religious affairs and has received opposition from opposition parties and minority groups.
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