Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set to be passed in Parliament soon. This legislation aims to address the management, preservation, and potential misuse of Waqf properties, according to Shah’s statement during a press conference marking the Modi government’s first 100 days in its third term.
The Lok Sabha Secretariat has scheduled meetings for the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the bill from September 18-20 in New Delhi. These sessions will gather:
– Oral evidence from Ministry of Minority Affairs representatives
– Insights from experts like Prof. Faizan Mustafa and organizations such as the Pasmanda Muslim Mahaaz
– Suggestions from various Muslim councils and groups
The proposed amendment has gained support from some Muslim social workers and Islamic scholars. Mufti Wajahat Qasmi, expressing views on the bill, stated, “We are standing with the government and we should not doubt the intentions of the government. The government is thinking for the needy and poor Muslims. With this bill, Waqf will flourish, Muslims will flourish and so will the country.”
Qasmi asserted that the meetings aim to dispel confusion fueled by certain political parties, which claim that the bill would lead to the seizure of Muslim-owned land.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to bring forth efficiencies in managing Waqf properties, ensuring that any potential abuses are curtailed, thereby supporting socio-economic improvements for impoverished Muslims.
