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Waqf Bill not meant for interference in religion; merely for property management: Rijiju

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Vidushi Gaur | Date 02-04-2025
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju

 

New Delhi

Introducing the Waqf (Amendment), 2024 Bill in Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju explained that the provisions of the Waqf Board in it have nothing to do with the management of a mosque, temple, or religious site. It is simply a matter of property management.

He spoke at length while introducing the bill to the members.

Rijiju said  "...We have worked to improve efficiency by utilizing technology. A centralized database and a digital portal will be implemented, ensuring that no one can secretly create Waqf properties under the cover of darkness. Proper registration, tracking, monitoring, and compliance mechanisms have been established. There is also a provision to rectify manual errors. The bill includes measures to address bureaucratic delays, and finally, proper auditing is essential. We are entrusting the responsibility of auditing to the state governments..."

He explained the process of making the bill through JPC."I want to say that the discussion that has taken place on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Joint Committee of both Houses has never been done in the parliamentary history of India to date. I thank and congratulate all the members of the Joint Committee...Till date, a total of 284 delegations from the state holders of different communities have presented their views and suggestions before the committee. Waqf boards of 25 state governments and union territories have also presented their submissions..."

Minister Kiren Rijiju further said, "...Kisi ki baat koi bad-guma na samjhega. Zameen ka dard kabhi aasamaan nahi samjhega...I not only hope, but I am sure that those who oppose this bill will also have a change in their hearts. Everyone will support this bill with a positive attitude...A case ongoing since 1970 in Delhi involved several properties, including the CGO Complex and the Parliament building. The Delhi Waqf Board had claimed these as Waqf properties. The case was in court, but at that time, the UPA government denotified 123 properties and handed them over to the Waqf Board. If we had not introduced this amendment today, even the Parliament building we are sitting in could have been claimed as Waqf property. If PM Modi Govt did not come into power, several properties would have been de-notified..."

Rijiju added, "In 2013, right before Lok Sabha elections in 2014, there were some steps taken which will raise questions in your mind. In 2013, the act was changed to allow Sikhs, Hindus, Parsis and others to create Waqf. Everyone knows Waqf is for Muslims to create Waqf in the name of Allah. This change was made by Congress in 2013. Congress made the boards specifics, only Shias in Shia boards...A section was added that Waqf will have an overriding effect over every other law. How can this section be acceptable?..."

Kiren Rijiju said, "The role of Waqf Board is to supervise the management of Waqf properties by mutawallis and those handling Waqf affairs. This is purely a provision for governance and supervision. In no way does the Waqf Board manage Waqf properties..."

Moreover, he added, "...The Waqf Bill is not interfering in any religious system, any religious institution, or any religious practice in any way..."

Kiren Rijiju said that, "The provisions of the Waqf Board have nothing to do with the management of any mosque, temple, or religious site. It is simply a matter of property management. However, Waqf properties are managed by the Waqf Board and the Mutawalli. If someone fails to understand this basic distinction or deliberately chooses not to, then I have no solution for that..."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said "...About the work done in 2012-2013, I want to mention that the elections were approaching and the Model Code of Conduct was about to be imposed. The elections happened in April-May 2014. On 5th March 2014, the UPA government transferred 123 prime properties under the Housing and Urban Development Ministry to the Delhi Waqf Board. What was the need? Only a few days were left before elections. Couldn’t you have waited? You thought this would help you win the elections but you lost the election anyway, so what was the gain? Such actions don't win votes"

Rijiju mentioned, "There were some anomalies in this bill, so it was necessary to amend it. I had mentioned earlier that any any Indian could create a Waqf, but this was not the case in 1995. In 2013, you made changes, and now we have reinstated the 1995 provision, ensuring that only someone who has practiced Islam for a minimum of five years can create a Waqf..."

He said, "Now Shia, Sunni, Bohra, backward Muslims, women, and expert Non-Muslims will also be there in Waqf Board. Let me elaborate in detail. I'll give my own example. Suppose I am not a Muslim but I am Minority Affairs Minister. Then I become Chairman of the Central Waqf Council. Despite my position, there can be a maximum of 4 Non-Muslim members in the Council, and among them, 2 women members are compulsory..."

Kiren Rijiju said, "...The railway tracks, stations, and infrastructure belong to the nation, not just to Indian Railways. How can we equate railway property with Waqf property? Similarly, defence land, the second-largest landholder, is meant for national security and military training. How can that be compared to Waqf land? A lot of Waqf properties are private properties. That is why India has the largest amount of Waqf property in the world"

Rijiju mentioned, "...When our country has the largest Waqf property in the world, why hasn't it been used for the education, medical treatment, skill development, and income generation of poor Muslims? wWhy has no progress been made in this regard so far?...If this government, under the leadership of PM Modi, is working for the betterment of poor Muslims, then why is there an objection?..."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said "...The railway tracks, stations, and infrastructure belong to the nation, not just to Indian Railways. How can we equate railway property with Waqf property? Similarly, defence land, the second-largest landholder, is meant for national security and military training. How can that be compared to Waqf land? A lot of Waqf properties are private properties. That is why India has the largest amount of Waqf property in the world. When our country has the largest Waqf property in the world, why hasn't it been used for the education, medical treatment, skill development, and income generation of poor Muslims? Why has no progress been made in this regard so far?...If this government, under the leadership of PM Modi, is working for the betterment of poor Muslims, then why is there an objection?..."

Rijiju also added, "...On our own WAMSI portal, we have reviewed the records. The Sachar Committee, which was formed in 2006 has also provided detailed information on this matter. In 2006, there were 4.9 lakh Waqf properties, and the total income from them was Rs 163 crore and after making changes in 2013, the income has income Rs 166 crores..."

Parliamentary Affairs Minister further said, "Today, the total Waqf property has increased from 4.9 lakh to 8.72 lakh in our country. If these 8.72 lakh Waqf properties were managed properly, it would not only improved the lives of Muslims but also transform the destiny of the entire country..."

READ MORE: Waqf Amendment Bill being introduced in interest of country: Kiren Rijiju

Rijiju concluded by saying, "...The Waqf (Amendment) Bill that we have introduced includes several recommendations from the JPC, which we have accepted and incorporated into this bill... It is wrong to say that recommendations from JPC has not been incorporated in this bill...One very important aspect of this bill is the new structured system. Waqf Bill has been renamed as the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill. This will give rise to a sense of hope..."

 

 



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