New Delhi. Amid reports of the central government introducing a bill to limit the powers of the Waqf Board, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Sunday said that it will never accept any change in the Waqf Act 2013 that changes the status and nature of Waqf properties or makes it easier for the government or any individual to usurp them. The statement said that any reduction or limitation of the rights of Waqf boards will also not be tolerated.
Muslim Personal Law Board spokesperson Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas said in a press statement, “According to reliable information, the Government of India wants to change the status and nature of Waqf properties through about 40 amendments in the Waqf Act 2013 so that it becomes easier to occupy and usurp them. This bill may be introduced in Parliament next week. The Muslim Personal Law Board considers it necessary to clarify that Waqf properties are gifts given by Muslim elders which have been Waqfed for religious and charitable works. The government has simply made the Waqf Act to control them.”
He further said, “The Indian Constitution and Shariat Application Act 1937 also provide protection to the Waqf Act and Waqf properties. Therefore, the Government of India cannot make any amendment in this law which will change the nature and status of these properties.” Rasool Ilyas said that till now whatever decisions and steps the government has taken regarding Muslims, they have only taken something away from them and have given nothing, whether it is the closure of Maulana Azad Foundation, or cancellation of minority scholarship, or the law related to triple talaq.
He said that this issue will not be limited to Muslims only. After attacking the Waqf properties, it is feared that the next number may come to the Waqf properties of Sikhs and Christians and then the monasteries and other religious properties of Hindus. Dr. Ilyas clarified that Muslims will never accept any such amendment in the Waqf Act which changes its status. Similarly, interference in the legal and judicial status and rights of the Waqf Boards will also not be tolerated.
The spokesperson of the Muslim Personal Law Board strongly appealed to the NDA allies and other opposition political parties to completely reject any such proposal and amendment and never let it pass in the Parliament. Dr. Ilyas further said that the Muslim Personal Law Board appeals to the Muslims of India and their religious and national organizations to come together and move forward against this move of the central government. The board will also adopt all kinds of legal and democratic means to thwart this move.
Tags: Waqf Board
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 4, 2024, 22:05 IST