New Delhi: Union Minister for Minorities Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tabled the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha amid objection by the Opposition. The Bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995. The Union Minister stated that the Bill will called as 'Umeed Act'
The Bill aims to amend the Waqf Act of 1995. After the introduction of the Bill, the Union Minister said that the Bill will not have any impact on mosque management and there will ne no meddling in the religious affairs by the government.
Rijiju alleged that the Congress handed over 123 government properties to Waqf Board during its tenure. He said, "if we had not brought the Bill, then the Parliament building would also have been claimed as Waqf property."
Targeting the Congress, the Union Minister said, "Changes made in Waqf law by UPA govt gave it overriding effect over other statutes, hence new amendments were required."
He also accused the Opposition of misleading the people on issues which are not part of Waqf Bill.
Rijiju also congratulated all the members of the Joint Parliament Committe (JPC).
"I want to say that the discussion that has taken place on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Joint Committee of both the Houses has never been done in the parliamentary history of India till date. I thank and congratulate all the members of the Joint Committee," the Union Minister said.
"ill date, a total of 284 delegations from the state holders of different communities have presented their views and suggestions before the committee. Waqf boards of 25 state governments and union territories have also presented their submissions," he added.
What Union Home Minister Amit Shah Said?
Shah lashed out at the Congress for apposing the Waqf Amanement Bill. "t was your (opposition) insistence that a Joint Parliamentary Committee should be formed. We do not have a committee like the Congress. We have a democratic committee, which brainstorms. 'Congress ke zamane mein committee hoti thi jo thappa lagati thi'. Our committee discusses, deliberates on the basis of discussions and makes changes. If the changes are not to be accepted, then what is the point of the committee?" the Union Home Minister stated.
The Amendment Bill seeks to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India. It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards by introducing changes such as renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, improving the registration process, and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.
The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments.
