Sufi shrines body welcomes changes proposed to Waqf Act | Delhi News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: At odds with the position of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council (AISSC) — an apex body representing sufi shrines from across country led by Syed Naseruddin Chishty from Ajmer dargah — welcomed govt’s proposal to amend Waqf Act. Chishty alleged that waqf boards work in a “dictatorial” manner and cited dargahs as one the biggest “victims” of mismanagement & corruption eating into the waqf system.
Citing that sufi traditions are not recognised under the current law, Chishty who is AISSC chairman has raised demand for a separate dargah board under the law.Representatives of prominent dargahs including Delhi’s Nizamuddin Auliya and Agra’s Fatehpur Sikri and representatives of sufi shrines from Rajasthan, Hyderabad and Karnataka were present at a press conference in Delhi.
They highlighted that smaller dargahs are often slapped with notices resulting in endless legal battles. Chishty shared that there are about 2,000 dargahs including small ones across country and around 800 prominent ones are associated with the council.
AISSC representatives, met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday. Chishty said they were assured that “all stakeholders will be consulted and amendments will be in the interest of Muslims.”
On Tuesday, Rijiju in a post on X described the interaction with AISSC representatives as a “fruitful and forward looking discussion” and highlighted that they praised the efforts of PM Narendra Modi-led govt towards welfare of minorities.
To questions about AIMPLB and other Muslim organisations opposing proposal for amendments and citing it to be an attack on rights of Muslims, Chishty asked those opposing how they had made up their mind without even seeing the Bill. He cautioned the Muslim community to not fall prey and warned against “false propaganda” and attempting “to divide society based on religion.”
Chishty, however, underlined the need for wider consultations on the Bill with stakeholders. “In the present Waqf Act, there is no mention of dargahs at all. Waqf Boards do not recognise traditions of the dargah as many of our traditions are not there in sharia, so we demand a separate Dargah Board,” he said.
In their memorandum to Doval and Rijiju, Chishty said, “Our council and various organisations have consistently submitted memorandums over the past decades, urging amendments to the law. “Following a thorough examination of the draft Bill, we intend to submit our recommendations and proposal. Consequently, it is imperative that the proposed amendments prioritise the interests and safeguards of dargahs and their actual representatives,” he added.