Muslim Personal Law Board urges MPs to oppose Waqf Amendment Bill
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 and has appealed to all secular political parties, including allies of the ruling BJP, to reject it in Parliament. The bill is set to be presented on April 2, Wednesday and the Board has urged Members of Parliament (MPs) not to support it “under any circumstances.”
The President of AIMPLB, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, called the proposed amendment unfair and unconstitutional, stating that it violates Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality and religious freedom.
According to him, the bill is part of a larger plan to weaken Waqf laws and make it easier for government authorities to seize Waqf properties.
He pointed out that, despite the existence of the Places of Worship Act, there is a growing trend of questioning the religious identity of mosques. If the amendment is passed, he warned, government officials such as Collectors and District Magistrates will have greater power to take control of Waqf properties. This, he said, could lead to an increase in illegal claims on these lands.
The Board President highlighted several key changes in the bill that he believes would harm the Waqf system. These include the removal of Waqf by-user, the lifting of exemptions from the Law of Limitation, and the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council.
Additionally, he criticized the proposed reduction in the powers of the Waqf Tribunal and the shift of dispute resolution to government officials rather than the Tribunal. He argued that these changes would strip Waqf properties of their legal protection and open the door for government control.
He also pointed out that similar legal protections exist for religious endowments of other communities, and targeting only Muslim Waqf properties would be discriminatory.
Maulana Rahmani expressed concern that such actions threaten India’s tradition of communal harmony and mutual respect between Hindus and Muslims. He stated, “our country is globally recognized for Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and for mutual respect for each other's religions, customs and festivals. However, unfortunately, the power of the nation is currently in the hands of those who seek to destroy this atmosphere of communal harmony and create anarchy and chaos.”
In his appeal, he urged MPs to stand with the Muslim community and oppose the bill, stating that millions of Muslims across India are counting on them to protect their rights.
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JD(S) MLA accuses Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah of 'luring' opposition MLAs
Bengaluru, Apr 12 (PTI): JD(S) MLA M T Krishnappa on Saturday accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of "luring" opposition legislators to join the Congress party.
"If I ask for a polytechnic college for my constituency, Siddaramaiah tells me to join the Congress party. Is it right for a Chief Minister to behave like this?" he alleged.
The Turuvekere MLA made the allegation while participating in a massive protest held by JD(S) against the Congress government here over recent price hikes and alleged corruption.
"It’s been two years since we became MLAs, but not even Rs 50 crore has been granted for the development of our constituencies. They don’t even allocate funds to fill potholes. All they do is loot, nothing else. This is a poverty-stricken government. Those who can't even fix potholes hand out Rs 2,000," he alleged.
Krishnappa further claimed that even if it takes another 20 years, he will still stay with JD(S).
"When we ask for a polytechnic college, they say 'join the Congress.' Why Congress? It’s a sinking party. Even if it takes another twenty years, I will stay with JD(S)," he alleged.
