Jumping to 2024 in the history of waqf bill, the current scenario is about the unfettered claims that are being made regarding properties to be of Waqf or not. It is estimated that more than 8.7 lakhs of properties in the country can be counted under waqf jurisdiction and the waqf board can claim their right on such properties. Seeing the situation the union government proposed amendment to the waqf act 1995, which created political buzz and the opposition started targeting the government. Opposition feels that the proposal is aiming to deprive muslim community of their land and freedom to manage religious affairs under article 26. However the ruling party NDA mentions that the muslim community itself wanted some regulations in the waqf boards.Now, heading towards the past that is the 2022 controversy of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) who encroached upon an idghah in Bengaluru for Ganesh Utsav. Karnataka state board of Waqf and the central muslim association of Karnataka, both appealed in SC against high court’s order of allowing the puja to be held on the premises. According to the Karnataka State Board of Waqf, in the past 200 years not a single religious event was held on these grounds and the space was used as playgrounds for local children instead. After the argument from both sides, they revived the Supreme Court’s decision on waqf properties. Also, according to the Waqf Act 2013, all the authority to stake claims on properties was in hand of boards and state had no power in this case. Several other disputes were brought in court like the State of Andhra Pradesh vs. AP State Waqf Board disputes was also around the use of properties of waqf boards. Hence, to solve such disputes, some amendment was needed, in order to solve pending cases related to this. Talking to True To Life, Mr Saket who is a Journalist and comes from law background as well insists on the need of amendment in the 2013 bill, so that there would be clarity regarding properties and their illegal encroachment
What is Waqf and why is the Waqf Bill important?
Waqf is an Arabic word and in islam it is a practice, where a person donates some portion of their wealth or property for charity and this piece of charity is used to benefit the public or specific groups like the poor, needy or maintain religious institutions.These donated properties can not be either sold or inherited after becoming waqf properties and the benefits from these are used for specific purposes. Hence, if we turn back history, we can see how for centuries waqf has played role in supporting religious, social and educational institutions of muslim communities. Waqf Bill, which is currently a heated topic, is actually a legislation which is governing the administration, management and protection of waqf properties in a country. These laws makes sure that the donated property is used according to the wish of donor and not misused.In India, the Waqf Act was first enacted in 1954 and then amended in 1995 and 2013, which regulates Waqf properties. The Waqf Bill is a proposed amendment to this Act and it is aimed at improving the management and protection of Waqf properties. In our country India, waqf properties covers a vast area like mosques, schools and even agricultural lands. With a value of upto billion rupees, these properties are either mismanaged or have been a part of corruption over years.The Waqf Bill seeks to strengthen waqf boards so that they could reclaim encroached properties and ensure that the income generated from Waqf assets is used for charitable purpose only. Also the bill seeks to improve transparency for better record keeping and auditing of waqf properties, so that corruption could be prevented and waqf property protection could take place.
By Aparna Jha
Reporting for
TRUE TO LIFE News Media Pvt Ltd