Centre likely to bring Wakf bill in Lok Sabha today

New Delhi: The government is expected to introduce the contentious Wakf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The proposed Bill aims to amend the law governing Wakf properties, bringing significant changes to the existing framework.

Trinamul Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandopadhyay announced, "The Wakf board amendment Bill will be introduced tomorrow. Along with Congress and NCP, we have requested a detailed discussion and for the Bill to be sent to the Standing Committee. The Speaker advised us to raise these points when the Bill is tabled in Parliament."

The issue was raised during the Business Advisory Committee meeting, and the Bill was circulated among Lok Sabha members on Tuesday night. Sources indicate that the government will not press for the immediate passage of the Bill after its introduction, suggesting that a panel may be formed in lieu of the Standing Committee.

Bandopadhyay emphasised the need for thorough deliberation, stating, "The Wakf board Amendment Bill is complex and cannot be debated in just 2-3 hours. It should be discussed in detail by the standing committee and then debated in the next session."

The Bill, to be introduced by minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, proposes several key changes, including ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Wakf bodies. It seeks to omit Section 40 of the current law, which grants the board the power to determine if a property is Wakf property.

Additionally, the Bill aims to rename the Wakf Act, 1995, as the Unified Wakf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It proposes establishing a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis and ensuring representation for Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis, and other Backward Classes among Muslim communities.

The Bill also seeks to clearly define Wakf as property dedicated by any person practicing Islam for at least five years and owning such property. It aims to streamline the registration of Wakf properties through a central portal and database and establish detailed procedures for property mutation according to revenue laws.

The Wakf Act, 1995, was originally enacted to regulate Auqaf (assets donated and notified as Waqf) by a wakif (the person dedicating a property for religious or charitable purposes recognized by Muslim law). The Act was last amended in 2013.