BJP Delhi President Virendra Sachdeva criticized the Aam Aadmi Party for their alleged involvement in corruption, particularly in the recruitment of staff for the Delhi Waqf Board. Sachdeva emphasized the need for accountability in the face of legal action and the rule of law. The ED raid, which was conducted under the PMLA, comes after ongoing investigations into the illegal staff recruitment and misuse of funds at the Delhi Waqf Board. AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, have condemned the raid and accused the BJP and ED of attempting to suppress dissent.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan for his involvement in a money laundering probe related to the Delhi Waqf Board case. He is accused of using "tainted" cash for purchasing an immovable property in Delhi and has been charged with non-cooperation and avoiding investigation. This is the latest in a string of arrests and allegations against AAP leaders by central agencies, which the party claims is a political vendetta by the ruling BJP.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan in connection with a money laundering case related to irregularities in appointments at the Delhi Waqf Board. This arrest comes after a morning raid at Khan's residence in Okhla. AAP leaders have rallied in support of Khan, accusing the BJP and ED of trying to suppress dissent. However, ED's actions have been described as "ruthless" and Khan was previously granted bail in a similar case.
The Telangana State Waqf Board has become the first board in the country to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which it deemed as unconstitutional. The board, led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, unanimously rejected the Bill and condemned its divisive agenda. The meeting also resolved to meet with the Joint Parliamentary Committee to present their opposition and concerns about the proposed amendments. They also expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for his support. The board believes that the Bill is an infringement on several constitutional rights and aims to destroy the autonomy of Waqf institutions.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has proposed the formation of a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to examine the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The committee, comprising 21 Lok Sabha members and 10 Rajya Sabha members, will be responsible for reviewing and assessing the proposed bill. Notably, prominent politicians such as AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Imran Masood have been appointed to the committee.
The government tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha and amid opposition from various parties, has agreed to refer it to a joint parliamentary committee for scrutiny. The bill proposes 40 amendments in the Waqf Act, 1995 and has caused widespread confusion among Muslims. The opposition parties have alleged that the government's intentions behind the bill are not genuine and it is a measure to acquire Waqf properties. However, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has defended the bill and stated that it aims to give more rights to economically weak Muslims. This is not the first time the Waqf Act has been amended, and there have been calls for amendments since its inception in 1976.
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.
The Central government is set to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha today aimed at restricting the powers of the Waqf board and ensuring the participation of Muslim women and non-Muslims. The bill seeks to repeal Section 40 of the current law, which governs the board's authority to classify Waqf property. This legislation has been in development for the last few years and has involved meetings with various stakeholders such as community members, eminent jurists, and lawyers. With government-owned entities like railways and defense being the top two landowners, the proposed changes in the bill are crucial in managing Waqf properties.
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the national President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, has expressed his support for the Government's move to introduce a bill to control the misuse of Waqf Board properties. He criticized the current Waqf Boards for their lack of proper management, which has led to the misappropriation of these properties by land mafias. The proposed amendments aim to address these issues, including mandatory verification of property claims and changes in the structure of both Central and State Waqf Boards. The bill also emphasizes the original purpose of Waqf Board properties, which is to support underprivileged Muslim communities.
The Modi government's plans to amend the Waqf Board Act have provoked a highly charged political debate. The proposed changes would limit the Waqf Board's power to declare properties as "waqf," with the aim of strengthening oversight and regulation. However, critics argue that these amendments could compromise the Board's independence, while proponents believe it will promote accountability and prevent exploitation. As the country anticipates the proposed bill's introduction in Parliament, the future of waqf property management in India hangs in the balance.