AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha member Asaduddin Owaisi told the media that the Waqf Bill was unconstitutional and violated Articles 14, 15 and 29 of the Constitution.
Hyderabad: A day after the Waqf Board Amendment Bill, 2024 with 14 amendments and the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) report were tabled in Parliament on Thursday, community leaders from the state have cautioned against rushing through the legislation, which needed a deeper study before going about any amendments.
Minorities affairs adviser Mohammed Shabbir Ali pointed out that the JPC member Sayed Nazir Hussain had termed the report as being one-sided, while the other members stated that their opinions were ignored. He urged the Centre to take more time to review the bill.
AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha member Asaduddin Owaisi told the media that the Waqf Bill was unconstitutional and violated Articles 14, 15 and 29 of the Constitution. He added that the new Bill was not only unconstitutional but would also ruin the institution of Waqf.
“One of the amendments in the report gives more power to district collectors and the revenue department over Waqf properties,” said Telangana Waqf Board member Syed Akbar Nizammuddin.
He added “The changes will destroy the institution. Waqf is one of the pillars of Islamic jurisprudence.”
Khaleeq Ahmed Sabir, general secretary of Jammiat Ulama (AP and TS) said, “The JPC’s approach itself is fundamentally flawed, as it appears to target a specific community. This attempt to interfere with Waqf Bill violates our rights. Waqf lands are donated in the name of God and should be protected. Action should be taken against those who misuse these lands. I feel that the amendments will benefit those who have illegally occupied Waqf properties.”
Sabir welcomed the inclusion of Hindu members on the Waqf Board but wondered why such changes were made only to Muslim related laws and bodies.
“If the government fails to respect our democratic rights, we will pursue all legal and democratic avenues to challenge the bill,” said Omer Ahmed Shafeeq, general secretary of All India Majlis Tameer-e-Millat.
He noted “It is deeply concerning that opposition members have already submitted their report highlighting the issues and the community’s concerns yet the JPC has ignored them. This raises serious questions about the transparency and fairness of the legislative process. Ignoring opposition voices and public sentiment goes against democratic principles and suggests that the bill is being pushed with an agenda that disregards constitutional rights.”
