Aruna Defends Waqf Bill Amendments

Hyderabad:BJP Mahbubnagar MP D.K. Aruna, who is on the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) vetting the Waqf (Amedment) Bill, disputed the statements of some leaders that the proposed legislation was against the interests of Muslims. She claimed that the amendments were intended to benefit poor Muslims and empower Muslim women, as they would get representation in proposed Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards.

Aruna has already made a representation to the JPC on the disputes over Waqf land in different parts of the state with a focus on how the poor have been facing problems. She also presented several representations she had received from poor Muslims during her state-wide tour. The members of the Telangana Waqf Board are likely to put forth their opinion before the JPC on Friday.

Talking to Deccan Chronicle, Aruna said that the Waqf Tribunals, which identify Waqf property, had faced several allegations of misuse of power with vested interests of grabbing property. The proposed Bill aims to make the district collector the arbiter on such disputes, she said. The other neglected sections like Bohras and Agakhanis will get a separate Board of Auqaf, as per the amendments to Waqf Bill, she said.