NEW DELHI: The Indian Islamic Culture Centre (IICC) has unanimously rejected the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 and decided to make a formal representation to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) regarding the issue. The IICC asserts that the bill violates the Constitution of India, which prohibits interference in the religious affairs of any community.
To discuss the implications of the proposed bill, the IICC organized a national conference on Sunday, which was attended by members, eminent scholars, former high court judges, and legal experts. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions about various aspects of the bill, concluding that its enactment would fundamentally undermine the Waqf concept and harm beneficiaries, particularly widows, orphans, and those reliant on religious endowments for support, including mosques, graveyards, and khanqas.
Key points of concern highlighted during the conference included:
1. The misleading acronym “UWMEED,” which obscures the bill’s divisive nature.
2. The dismantling of a decades-long legal framework for Waqfs, akin to obliterating an entire act.
3. The introduction of “Collector Raj,” which threatens the independence of Waqf Boards and diminishes the authority of the Waqf Tribunal.
4. The bill’s drafting process lacked proper consultation with stakeholders, altering the definition of Waqf beyond legislative boundaries.
5. Significant issues such as the recolonization of Waqf legislation, the removal of Waqf by users, stifling board elections, and inadequate Muslim representation on the Central Waqf Council.
Speaking with Islamic Voice, Salman Khurshid, the newly elected president of the IICC and former Union Minister for Law and Justice, emphasized that the bill was introduced with malicious intent and must be resisted at all levels. He asserted that the bill’s subversive nature prompted the IICC to convene this meeting, leading to the unanimous rejection of the bill and a call for its withdrawal. A delegation from the IICC also visited the JPC on September 10.
The conference featured notable speeches from Justice Iqbal Ansari, former judge of the Patna High Court, Justice Z. U. Khan, Zakat Foundation Chairman Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, Supreme Court senior advocates M.R. Shamshad and Baharuddin Barqi, and former Chief Election Commissioner Dr. S.Y. Quraishi. Khurshid delivered the presidential remarks, emphasizing the need for collective action against the bill.
Sardar Daya Singh remarked on the government’s negative intentions towards religious minorities, cautioning that the Sikh community could be the next target. He urged the audience to foster unity between the Muslim and Sikh communities, recalling former Lok Sabha speaker Sardar Hukam Singh’s words about the strength of their solidarity.
Dr. Mahmood stressed that the proposed amendments reflect a targeted attack against a specific community and pointed out that the Central Waqf Council (CWC), the highest decision-making body for Waqf matters, has not been constituted since 2021. He called for a privilege motion against Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju for misleading the House during the bill’s presentation.
Khawja Shahid noted that various government departments had made presentations to the JPC and advocated for a counter-presentation to challenge their claims. Advocate M.R. Shamshad highlighted the destructive implications of the proposed bill, emphasizing the importance of countering right-wing propaganda. Advocate Wajih Shafi, attorney for the Delhi Waqf Board, raised concerns about the government’s intentions regarding 123 contentious Waqf properties, citing specific legal cases.
The government’s decision to refer the highly contentious Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 to the JPC came after strong opposition and protests from various parties. Critics argue that the bill aims to undermine the Muslim community, interfere with religious affairs, and violate constitutional principles. Congress MP K.C. Venugopal characterized the bill as an assault on religious freedom, cautioning that it could extend its reach to other religious communities.
The conference concluded with plans to form an expert committee to articulate a more nuanced response to the Waqf Amendment Bill.
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