Lucknow

Following the All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s (AIMPLB) demand for the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Bill, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal has assured that Waqf properties will remain under Waqf control and will not be acquired by the government. Pal, who chairs the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) overseeing the bill, emphasized that the committee is considering all feedback and concerns. A detailed report on the bill will be prepared and presented in the next parliamentary session.

The government introduced the bill to improve Waqf property management, Pal explained. The Joint Parliamentary Committee is gathering input from various stakeholders and will finalize a report for the next session.

In response to fears about government seizure of Waqf properties, Pal stressed that the properties will remain under Waqf management and no property will be taken over by the government.

Pal also met with K Rehman, a former Union Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, to discuss the bill. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, on August 25, criticized the bill, alleging it could lead to government control over Waqf properties and the appointment of non-Muslim members to Waqf boards. He argued that Waqf properties are charitable donations from the Muslim community and should not be treated as public assets.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2023, introduced during the budget session, aims to streamline Waqf property management but faces opposition concerns about potential government overreach and the impact on Waqf institutions’ autonomy.