New Delhi: The central government is poised to introduce the Waqf Bill Amendment in Parliament on August 7 or 8, according to government sources. Following consultations with various Muslim intellectuals and members of the Waqf Board, the government aims to present the bill in the Rajya Sabha first.
The proposed amendment to the Waqf Act has sparked controversy, with the opposition raising concerns over the potential reduction in the powers of the Waqf Board. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has announced his party’s firm opposition to the bill. “We will be against the bill amending the Waqf Act. The BJP has no work other than to divide Hindus and Muslims or take away the rights of their Muslim brothers. First, this government took away the rights of Anglo-Indians in Parliament,” Yadav stated.
The government asserts that the amendments aim to enhance accountability and transparency within the Waqf Board’s operations. There are currently 30 Waqf Boards in the country, managing over 8.7 lakh properties across 9.4 lakh acres.
The Waqf Act, initially passed in 1954, was significantly amended in 1995, granting extensive powers to the Waqf Board. Under the existing law, any property claimed by the Waqf Board is deemed its property. The proposed changes seek to revise these provisions, ensuring greater oversight and reducing potential abuses of power.
Despite these intentions, the opposition remains skeptical, viewing the amendments as a move to undermine the Waqf Board’s authority. The upcoming parliamentary session is expected to see heated debates as the government pushes forward with the bill.
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