Kolkata: The West Bengal Waqf Board has expressed strong opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by the central government. The Board has submitted its objections and detailed comments on the Bill to the West Bengal Minority Affairs Department, criticising the lack of stakeholder consultation before the Bill’s introduction, reports The Hindu.
Justice (Rtd.) Sahidullah Munshi, Chairman of the West Bengal Waqf Board, remarked, “Amendment Bills can be introduced by any government, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, if a Bill contains flaws, it warrants criticism. Our primary objection is that the government should have engaged with all stakeholders before presenting the Bill to avoid these complications.” He further stated that the Board has rejected the Bill outright, claiming that it undermines the interests of the Board and the community as a whole.
“The entire Bill may not be bad, but most provisions are problematic. If it becomes law, we will consider other measures to challenge it. We have submitted an elaborate complaint highlighting our concerns,” Justice Munshi added.
When asked about viral social media rumours suggesting that the Raj Bhavan land (Governor’s residence) is owned by the Waqf Board, Justice Munshi clarified that the Board could only act upon a formal complaint. “To our knowledge, there is no evidence supporting such claims,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Waqf Board has introduced an identification card system for its employees to curb malpractices and ensure transparency. Chief Executive Officer Ahsan Ali stated, “In the past, we received complaints of unauthorised individuals extorting money from unsuspecting people while misusing the Board’s name. With the new identification system, all employees will now be easily identifiable, ensuring a transparent process.”
In a related development, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee criticised the proceedings of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on November 7, alleging high-handedness by JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal, claiming, “The chairman has been working whimsically and arbitrarily, bulldozing Opposition voices and ignoring their input.”
The debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has sparked significant controversy, with stakeholders and Opposition members raising concerns over its implications for governance and minority rights.
