MUSLIMS IN INDIA INTENSIFY OPPOSITION TO CONTROVERSIAL BILL ON ADMINISTRATION OF ISLAMIC PROPERTIES

By Shakir Husain

JAIPUR (India), Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Muslim groups and scholars in India have intensified their opposition to a controversial bill on Islamic endowment properties.

They criticise the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, as a violation of basic constitutional rights and an attempt to undermine the Muslim community's management of its properties such as mosques, graveyards and charitable institutions.

A number of rallies and conferences have been held across India against the Bill since it was introduced in the lower house of parliament in August by the federal government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), an umbrella organisation, has rejected the proposed Bill totally, arguing that its provisions destroy the Islamic concept of waqf, which allows people to make endowments for spiritual and welfare purposes.

They say the new measure is against the religious freedom guaranteed in the Indian Constitution.

Tens of thousands of Muslims gathered in Rajasthan state's capital Jaipur on Sunday evening for a conference, where prominent Muslim leaders slammed the proposed law and warned of mass protests if it was not withdrawn.

The "Tahaffuz-e-Auqaf" (Protection of Waqf Properties) conference in Jaipur, about 270 kilometres from New Delhi, was one of the most high-profile public events held to build public opinion against the Bill.

The speakers included AIMPLB vice president and Jamaat-e-Islami Hind president Syed Sadatullah Husaini, AIMPLB general-secretary Maulana Mohammed Fazlurrahim Mujaddidi, Ittehad-e-Millat Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan, the Ajmer shrine management body's secretary Syed Sarwar Chishty, Maulana Tahzeebul Hasan Rizvi, a prominent Shia imam from Jharkhand state, and parliament members, Imran Masood and Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi.

"This Bill is aimed at abolishing auqaf (endowments)," Mujaddidi said in his speech.

He said such intention was clear months ago when a BJP member had introduced a private member bill in parliament to repeal the Waqf Act of 1995.

"You have only changed the format, but your intention is clear," he said.

Syed Zafar Mahmood, president of Zakat Foundation of India, said the proposed legislation is accompanied by "propaganda" against the institution of waqf as exaggerated and fake numbers of properties under waqf are being cited in the media.

The reliable figure of waqf properties across India, based on details provided by state waqf boards, is 490,021, Syed Zafar said.

He said while Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in India enjoy the freedom of managing their places of worship and properties themselves, the Waqf Amendment Bill seeks to impose non-Muslim members on the bodies managing Islamic endowments.

Syed Zafar often condemns the bill as suffering from "procedural irregularities, constitutional violations, retrograde steps, irrationalities, non-justifications and preconceived notions".

Facing strong criticism from opposition parties, the government set up a parliamentary committee made up of 21 Lok Sabha (lower house) members and 10 lawmakers of the Rajya Sabha (upper house) to conduct a scrutiny of the Bill.

Disputes and sharp differences between the opposition and government members have marred the committee's proceedings.

Sadatullah called for building a "well-informed" campaign against the controversial measure.

Tauqeer Raza exhorted those present to be prepared to launch street protests in Delhi if the Bill is not withdrawn.

-- BERNAMA