Shia cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad and other community members staged a protest in Lucknow against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to regulate and control the administration of waqf institutions and their properties. This bill has been met with controversy and has faced criticism from various religious and civic bodies, leading to ongoing protests. The history of waqf administration in India, from the pre-Independence period to the current amendment act of 2013, has been a topic of debate and discussion, with multiple recommendations made for better governance of these religious endowments.
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.
The Modi government is gearing up to introduce a proposed bill in parliament that aims to amend the Waqf Act. According to a report by TOI, the bill includes around 40 changes to the current legislation, with a focus on restructuring the composition of the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards. One major change proposed is the mandatory verification of property claims made by Waqf Boards, which was previously unrestricted. This move is expected to address issues such as land encroachment and misuse of powers granted under the current legislation.
The ongoing T20 World Cup was left in disarray as the match between USA and Ireland had to be cancelled due to bad weather, resulting in both teams receiving a point. This unfortunate event resulted in the USA advancing to the Super 8s and Pakistan being eliminated from the tournament. This is not the first time this has happened, as a previous match had to be cancelled due to bad weather as well, leading to Sri Lanka's elimination. Fans are outraged and calling for a change in venue to prevent further chaos.