New Delhi: Maulana Arshad Madani, leader of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, strongly condemned the Waqf Bill, calling it a violation of Muslim constitutional rights and democratic principles. The bill, presented by the Union Government with 14 amendments from the Joint Parliament Committee, seeks to alter the governance of Waqf properties, raising concerns of land seizure and status dilution.
Concerns Over Amendments
Presiding over a Jamiat working committee meeting, Maulana Madani highlighted the shifting of authority from the Waqf Board to government officials, potentially facilitating seizure of Waqf lands. He criticized provisions that delay recognition of Waqf properties, emphasizing that if a report on a property takes 50 years, it would not be considered Waqf until then.
Exclusion of Disputed Properties
Despite protests, the “Waqf by user” rule which recognizes properties used for religious purposes was reinstated. However, properties under government dispute or litigation, including 123 Waqf properties in Delhi, are now excluded, effectively barring Muslim claims over them.
“A Dictatorial Move”
Madani accused the government and so-called secular parties of ignoring Muslim concerns. He condemned the rejection of opposition recommendations and questioned:
“If democracy is implemented through dictatorship, why is it praised?”
Legal & Democratic Resistance
Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind has vowed to challenge the bill in the Supreme Court and mobilize peaceful protests alongside Muslims, minorities, and justice advocates.
Broader Concerns Raised
The committee also addressed:
• Uniform Civil Code implementation
• Attacks on mosques & graveyards despite the Places of Worship Act
• Sectarianism, radicalism, and religious discrimination
• Palestine crisis and Israel’s continued aggression
The meeting concluded with a call for unity and legal action to protect Muslim rights and Waqf properties.
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