New Delhi: Maulana Arshad Madani, President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, has voiced strong objections to the Central Government’s proposed amendments to the Waqf Act. The New Waqf Amendment Bill-2024, which is set to be introduced in Parliament, includes approximately forty changes to the Waqf Act-2013. While the specifics of these amendments have not been disclosed, Maulana Madani has expressed deep concerns regarding their potential impact.
Maulana Madani warned that the amendments could fundamentally alter the status and nature of Waqf properties, making it easier for the government to take control of these assets. “We can never accept any amendment which changes the status of the Waqf and the purpose of the Waqf,” he stated. “Muslims can tolerate any harm but no interference in Shariat.”
The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind President emphasized that Waqf properties are ancestral donations dedicated to religious works and governed by the Waqf Act. He stressed that any changes that facilitate government or individual control over these properties would be unacceptable.
“Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind wants to make it clear that Waqf properties are donations given by ancestors of Muslims dedicated to religious works,” Madani said. “The government has enacted the Waqf Act just to regulate them. The Jamiat will never accept any amendment in the Ulama-i-Hind Act-2013, which changes the status and nature of Waqf properties or makes it easier for the government or any individual to take possession of it.”
Maulana Madani also criticized the government’s broader approach towards Muslims, accusing it of using legislation to instill fear and chaos within the community. He pointed out that any attempt to limit the rights of Waqf boards or interfere with Shariat would be seen as an attack on constitutional rights.
“The Constitution has given every citizen the right to follow their religious functions along with religious freedom,” Madani noted. “The present government wants to take away the religious freedom given to Muslims by the Constitution.”
In his statement, Maulana Madani reiterated the inviolable nature of Waqf properties according to Islamic Shari’ah. He emphasized that these properties, dedicated to Allah for religious and charitable purposes, could not be repurposed against the wishes of the Waqf donors.
Maulana Madani assured that Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind is prepared to take legal action, including approaching the Supreme Court if necessary, to protect Waqf properties. “This property is dedicated to Allah. The government’s intentions are bad. They want to interfere in our religious affairs. They want to grab billions of Muslim properties,” he warned.
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