Waqf Amendment Bill Will End Unconstitutional Anarchy: Naqvi

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Thursday said here that the Waqf Amendment Bill will pave the way for “constitutional hierarchy over un-constitutional anarchy”.

The Waqf Amendment Bill introduced in Parliament is a positive and constructive step towards “a logical ending solution to a long pending problem” Naqvi told reporters. This is the need of the country, religion as well as the Waqf and Waqt (time).

Naqvi said that those who are trying to create “communal confusion on constitutional correction” must desist from spreading fear and fallacy through their communal fanatic conspiracy to impose a Talibani lock on an inclusive reform. He said that in the name of autonomy, the arrogance of super constitutional authority is not in the interest of the country and the community both. The Waqf system should move beyond its “touch-me not” syndrome as this mentality, supported by the communal caucus, has made the Waqf system as a hostage of their narrow minded self-interests.

Naqvi said that this is the right time to bring the Waqf system out of the darkness of mistrust and anarchy. The Waqf Amendment Bill will ensure transparency and accountability in the Waqf system for empowerment of the society.

The Haj Association of India welcomed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, moved in Lok Sabha on Thursday and called it a “big initiative” by the government of India.
Haj Association of India chairman A Aboobucker said that this bill will be “good for women’s empowerment” and also help the poor.

“On behalf of the Haj Association of India, New Delhi, we welcome this amendment as this Act is quite old. As per the current scenario, some amendments need to be made. Govt of India has taken a big initiative and we welcome that, there is no doubt,” Aboobucker said. He also criticised those opposing the bill and said that “some of the organisations and political parties, a few are opposing this at the pan India level, I think it will be good for women’s empowerment and will help the poor people.”

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Waqf Act provides for the renaming of the Waqf Act, 1995, as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju moved the bill in Lok Sabha on Thursday. The bill seeks to “effectively address issues” related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments.