NEW DELHI: Brushing aside opposition’s protests and amid accusations of interference in religious affairs of Muslims, BJP and its allies on JPC Monday cleared key changes to Waqf Act, clearing the way for the end of “waqf by user” scheme, where properties are deemed to be a Muslim religious charity only on the basis of the word’s current usage.
If the bill incorporating the changes recommended by the JPC are approved, all waqf claims will have to be backed by registered deeds.
The proposed changes, such as inclusion of two non-Muslims, excluding officials who may be there by virtue of their positions, in Central Waqf Council, seek to overhaul the administration of waqf properties worth hundreds of billions of rupees.
The JPC adopted all 32 amendments proposed by NDA, while turning down all suggested by opposition by a vote. Congress, TMC, DMK and AIMIM are expected to register their dissent.
Waqf bill joint parliament panel to formally adopt tweaks tomorrow
The JPC has called for the inclusion of up to four non-Muslims in state waqf boards. It also adopted an amendment to take minority Muslim sects like Dawoodi Bohras and Agakhanis out of the jurisdiction of waqf boards, mostly Sunni-controlled bodies.
Another crucial amendment as per sources is that a person claiming to be a Muslim and wanting to donate his assets to waqf needs to produce evidence to show that he has been practising the faith for at least five years. The changes are going to be formally adopted by by JPC at its meeting Wednesday to complete the procedural requirement for the bill to be referred back to Parliament and for govt to draw the time-table to seek its passage. Sources in govt said they were ready to move.
The outcome, marked by protests by opposition, was significant because of the steadfast support of BJP’s allies JDU, TDP and Lok Janshakti Party which have often been sensitive to concerns of their Muslim constituents. The unity in the ruling bloc augurs well for the passage of the bill in the two Houses.
Govt has justified the proposed changes by saying they were necessary to tackle the misuse of “waqf by user” provision, check corruption in waqf bodies and for making them more inclusive. Another amendment adopted by the panel proposes to do away with vesting any inquiry into disputes over a govt property with the district collector and making room for the state govt to designate an officer above the rank of collector to carry out the inquiry.
It is also proposed to allow waqf boards to decide on welfare measures for widows and orphans, among others, instead of mandating it by law. Meanwhile, JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal rejected the opposition’s charges, claiming the entire exercise was democratic and the majority view prevailed.