Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju highlighted the appreciation expressed by the Delhi Shia Muslim Personal Law Board towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for introducing the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. Rijiju’s tweet read, “The Members of Delhi Shia Muslim Personal Law Board extended their gratitude to PM Narendra Modi govt for bringing Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.”
The bill, which seeks to amend the existing Waqf Act of 1995, has been a significant point of discussion, especially within minority communities. The Waqf Act was initially established to manage properties donated by the Muslim community for charitable and religious purposes. However, over the years, the implementation of the Act has been marred by allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and encroachment on Waqf properties.
BJP MP Gulam Ali Khatana has been a vocal advocate for the necessity of these amendments. In his statements, Khatana accused the opposition, which had been in power for 70 years, of misusing Waqf properties and failing to utilize them for the welfare of the minority communities. He asserted, “The opposition while being in power for 70 years have misused the Waqf property and hadn’t used it for the welfare of the minorities. Individual people have looted and encroached on it. PM Narendra Modi wants transparency in it…”
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 proposes several key changes aimed at improving the governance and management of Waqf properties. The bill seeks to overhaul the governance structure of Waqf boards, enhance auditing processes, and introduce measures to increase transparency in the administration of these properties. The government hopes that these changes will prevent further misuse of Waqf assets and ensure that they are directed towards benefiting the minority communities, as originally intended.
The introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 reflects the Modi government’s ongoing efforts to bring about reforms in the management of Waqf properties and to address longstanding concerns of mismanagement. The support from the Delhi Shia Muslim Personal Law Board indicates a positive reception within the community, further bolstering the government’s position on the necessity of these amendments.
As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it is likely to spark further debate and discussion, particularly among those concerned with the welfare and rights of minority communities in India.