Hyderabad, Sep 7: Telangana State Waqf Board has made a written representation to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024.
A delegation of the Board led by its chairman Syed Azmatullah Hussaini met with JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal in Delhi and conveyed its strong opposition to the proposed Bill.
The delegation mentioned the lacunae in the Bill and adverse impact it would have on the very purpose of Waqf and the management of Waqf properties.
AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi, who is also a member of the State Wakf Board and the JPC, was also present.
Waqf Board members Moulana Syed Shaha Ali Akbar Nizamuddin Hussaini Sabri, Moulana Abul Fateh Syed Bandagi Badshah Quadri, Moulana Syed Nisar Hussaini Hyder Agha, BAR Council member MA Muqeet, Telangana Urdu Academy president Taher Bin Hamdan, Telangana State Minorities Finance Corporation chairman Obaidullah Kotwal and Waqf Board CEO Syed Asadullah were among those who met with JPC chairman.
The representation was made on 40 points. It compared Waqf Act 1995 and the proposed amendment bill and explained how the amendments would harm the interests of Waqf.
It may be recalled that Telangana State Waqf Board last month became the first Waqf Board in the country to reject the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.
It termed the bill a retrograde step to target the Muslim community and Waqf institutions and condemned the divisive agenda being pushed through the controversial bill.
The Board also resolved to meet JPC and all chairpersons/CEOs of Waqf Boards of states ruled by non-BJP parties. It said that it is convinced about the harmful and damaging effects of the provisions of the Bill. It passed a resolution rejecting the proposed amendments.
“It is obvious to the Board that the proposed bill has been prepared with a particular mindset and aims at destroying the autonomy of Waqf Board and the very institution of Waqf by bringing the Waqfs under the total control of Collectors who will be free to claim and determine any Waqf property as government property and give directions to Mutawalli, and its compliance will be binding on Mutawalli,” said the resolution.
It feels that the bill is a direct infringement of Articles 14, 19, 21, 25 and 300-A of the Constitution of India as it interferes in the freedom of religion and right to property, in as much as it prohibits a Muslim from dealing with his/her own property unless he is certified to be a practising Muslim for five years.
Meanwhile, All India Milli Council Telangana (AIMCT) has launched an online and offline awareness campaign to oppose the Bill. It is trying to educate the possible ramifications if the Bill is passed in its present form. It already submitted its representation to the JPC.
The United Muslim Forum (UMF) has emphasised the importance of raising awareness. It has urged managing committees of masjids to encourage imams and khateebs to address the Bill during Friday sermons.
