Saturday, a delegation of prominent Muslim leaders and scholars from across India met with Union Minority Minister Kiren Rijiju at his residence. The group, led by Hazrat Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council and spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah, was coordinated by BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.
During the meeting, the delegation addressed various issues impacting the Muslim community, focusing primarily on problems related to Waqf Boards. They voiced concerns about how these boards are affecting Muslim communities and urged the government to intervene. They called for the establishment of a separate Dargah Board to oversee Dargah affairs and to halt the alleged abuses by Waqf Boards.
The delegation expressed their support for the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) set up to review issues related to Waqf Boards and Dargahs. They believe this initiative will improve management, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that Waqf properties benefit the most disadvantaged Muslims and are protected from corruption and land grabbing.
Hazrat Syed Naseruddin Chishty also proposed setting up help desks at Muslim religious sites to provide information about government schemes for minorities and suggested enacting a separate act to protect Dargahs from Waqf Board abuses.
The delegation included leaders from various states, including Rajasthan, Telangana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
