LUCKNOW: The Waqf Amendment Bill introduced by the central govt will undoubtedly be a milestone in the positive development of the Muslim community, said Danish Azad Ansari, minister of state for minority welfare, Muslim Waqf and Haj.
Maintaining that it’s clear that this bill will not interfere with any religious body, Ansari said, “Bringing this bill does not violate any article of the Constitution, and such amendments have been made before.”
He added that the govt has clarified this amendment will grant rights to those who have not received them, increase women’s participation, and ensure the involvement of marginalized Muslims who have been overlooked.
There were many flaws in the Waqf Act that will be addressed by this amendment, he said. The minister added that the opposition, however, is bent on harming the entire Muslim community for the sake of a few individuals’ interests.
During the Congress party’s rule in 1976, the Waqf Inquiry Report stated that the custodians of the Waqf Board were not disciplined, and the audit and accounting methods were improper, he claimed.
“Even the Sachar Committee formed during Congress rule in 2005 pointed outmany flaws in the Waqf Board.
The Sachar Committee itself recommended increasing representation in the Waqf Board, especially for marginalized Muslims and women. Another joint parliamentary committee was formed by the Congress, chaired by then minority welfare minister K. Rahman Khan, which also highlighted the lack of infrastructure, funds, and management in the Waqf. The committee recommended proper documentation, organization, surveys, inclusion of experts, computerization, centralization of data, and recording Waqf properties in revenue records. It also suggested revisiting the 1995 Waqf Act,” said Ansari.
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