New Delhi:
The Waqf Modification Bill sailed by way of the Lok Sabha early on Thursday after a marathon 12-hour debate that noticed the federal government and the Opposition go toe-to-toe on the contentious invoice well-past midnight. The controversy was intense however the numerical power of the federal government had the final phrase. Round 2 am, the invoice was handed by 288-232 votes.
The proposed laws — which will likely be tabled in Rajya Sabha later in the present day — goals to amend the 1995 regulation governing Waqf properties.
However the contentious provisions within the amended invoice embody obligatory inclusion of two non-Muslim members within the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards. There may be additionally the stipulation that people who practiced Islam for not less than 5 years solely can donate properties to Waqf. Additionally, beneath the proposed regulation, authorities property recognized as Waqf will stop to belong to it and the native Collector will decide its possession.
The Opposition — which contended that the Joint Parliamentary Committee set as much as study the Bill didn’t contemplate their ideas — argued that the invoice was unconstitutional.
The Congress declared that the federal government was attempting to “defame (and) disenfranchise minorities” and staging an “4D assault on the Structure”.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, in a symbolic protest, mentioned he was “tearing up the regulation like Mahatma Gandhi did” with British regulation in South Africa.
The federal government contended that the invoice was about property and its administration, not faith. Big lands and properties have been taken over by Waqf — aided by the Congress’s appeasement politics. There have been largescale irregularities that didn’t enable Waqf property to learn ladies and kids, which the amended regulation would do. Additionally, the Waqf invoice, the BJP mentioned, was developed after consulting a big part of individuals and it has acquired the assist of non-Muslim minorities.
Talking in favour of the invoice, Union minister Amit Shah offered a protracted listing of properties that he mentioned got for Waqf. The listing included land belonging to temples, different religions, the federal government and others.
“Properties in (Delhi’s) Lutyens zone went to Waqf, they usually began taking up authorities land… In Tamil Nadu, a 400-year-old temple property was declared as Waqf’s. Land for a five-star institution was given to Waqf for 12,000 a month… A number of properties belonging to completely different religions have been declared as Waqf property, together with Chandra Shekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj,” he mentioned.
“You can not donate another person’s property. You donate one thing which is yours,” he mentioned.
Whereas introducing the invoice, Union minister Kiren Rijiju cited a case occurring since 1970 in Delhi concerned a number of properties, together with the outdated Parliament constructing.
“If we had not launched this modification in the present day, even the constructing we’re sitting in may have been claimed as Waqf property,” he mentioned.
Pointing fingers on the Congress, Mr Shah mentioned if there had not been an modification within the Wakf Act in 2013, there would have been no have to carry this laws.
“In 2013, the acute Wakf regulation was made in a single day for the aim of appeasement. In consequence, 123 properties in Delhi’s Lutyens zone have been handed over to the Wakf simply 25 days earlier than the elections,” he mentioned.
He additionally denied that non-Muslims will likely be included within the Wakf board, saying “Those that handle non secular property, in that board, non-Muslims will not be in that. We do not wish to even intrude there. The Opposition is attempting to scare the minority and construct their vote banks”.
Spirited Assault From Opposition
Congress’s Gaurav Gogoi, who delivered a prolonged rebuttal to Mr Rijiju, mentioned the invoice is an “assault on the Structure… The intention is to dilute the Structure, defame and disenfranchise minorities… divide Indian society”.
“In 2023, 4 conferences of the Minority Fee have been held, and but, there was no point out of the necessity for a Waqf modification invoice. I ask the federal government – was this invoice drafted by the Minority Affairs Ministry or another division?” he added.
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal launched a fierce assault on the Centre, accusing it of attempting to separate the minorities.
“The get together which doesn’t have a single Muslim member (in Parliament), how is it which might be remembering the Muslims in the present day? The get together which depends on polarisation, how did they bear in mind the Muslims in the present day?” she mentioned, taking a swipe on the BJP.
“Twenty seven % of the (Waqf) properties are in Uttar Pradesh, which can vote after 1.5 years. You might have demolished our historic gurudwara and developed Ayodhya. Had your intention been good then you definitely would have included a Muslim member within the Ayodhya committee. You’re breaking each minority. You’re the Tukde Tukde gang,” added the MP, whose get together parted firm with the BJP throughout the farmers’ protest.
Provisions Of Amended Bill
In accordance with the Waqf Modification Bill, trusts created by Muslims beneath any regulation will now not be thought-about Waqf. Solely working towards Muslims (for not less than 5 years) can dedicate their property to Waqf, it says, restoring pre-2013 guidelines. Additionally, ladies should obtain their inheritance earlier than Waqf declaration, with particular provisions for widows, divorced ladies and orphans.
The invoice additionally proposes that an officer above the rank of collector will examine authorities properties claimed as Waqf.
In case of disputes, the senior authorities official could have the ultimate say on whether or not a property belongs to Waqf or the federal government. This replaces the present system the place such selections are made by Waqf tribunals.
Additionally, the invoice proposes that non-Muslim members will likely be included within the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
Girls should obtain their inheritance earlier than Waqf declaration, with particular provisions for widows, divorced ladies and orphans.
The All India Muslim Private Regulation Board has mentioned it’s going to problem the Waqf (Modification) Bill in court docket. “We’ll organise programmes throughout the nation similar to farmers did. If wanted, we’ll block roads and take all peaceable measures to oppose the invoice,” mentioned the regulation board spokesperson Mohammad Mohsin.
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