Today’s Political Highlights: Centre to Introduce Waqif Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha
The government on Thursday is likely to table a Bill in Parliament to amend the 1995 law governing Waqf boards to secure more responsibility and transparency in their functioning and Sources have revealed that the proposed bill aims to address concerns about the transparency and accountability of Waqf boards by mandating the inclusion of women in these bodies.There has been growing pressure from within the community to enhance the law to improve oversight and ensure that decisions made by Waqf boards can be challenged in court. Previously, some Muslim high court judges had ruled that Waqf board decisions were not subject to judicial review. The new bill seeks to rectify this issue.One key provision of the bill requires Waqf boards to register their properties with district collectors to ensure accurate valuation. Currently, there are 30 Waqf boards across the country.
According to sources, the total revenue generated from Waqf properties is around Rs 200 crore annually. However, this figure seems inconsistent with the large number of properties managed by these boards.To provide some context, Waqf boards originally managed about 52,000 properties across India. By 2009, this number had increased to 3,00,000 properties spanning four lakh acres of land. As of now, there are 8,72,292 Waqf properties covering over eight lakh acres.The amendment bill, which includes 40 changes to the existing law, is expected to be introduced during the current Parliament session. The government, as of now, does not plan to leave the Bill pending in Parliament after introduction, the sources said.
The proposed changes to the Waqf law include several key updates aimed at improving transparency and accountability. Among the most notable changes is a requirement for verifying land before it is designated as a Waqf property. The bill also calls for a fresh review of disputed lands that are claimed by various state boards. Additionally, there will be changes to the composition of Waqf boards to ensure that women are included in these bodies.In other news, the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir from August 8-10. This visit will focus on assessing the preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections, which must be held by the Supreme Court’s September 30 deadline.Kumar will be rejected by Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S S Sandhu.
In March, Kumar — who was then the single member of the three-member commission to visit the Union Territory — had trusted political parties and the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the poll panel would soon hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
The commission will also review the preparations with election officers and police superintendents of all districts, as well as the chief secretary and director general of police.The commission will visit Jammu for a review meeting with administer agencies On August 10,. It will also hold a press assembly in Jammu to brief the media on the review process.
In context: Whenever assembly elections are grabbed in Jammu and Kashmir, they will be the first since provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution were abrogated and the old state divided into two Union Territories in 2019.
Following a describe exercise, the number of assembly seats has gone up from 83 to 90, excluding those assigned to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Last December, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30.
In a sign that elections might be on the horizon, the Election Commission has requested that the Jammu and Kashmir administration transfer officials from their home districts. This move is a standard procedure the Commission follows in preparation for elections.In Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will kick off the Jan Samman Yatra on August 8. This outreach program by the ruling NCP is aimed at engaging with voters ahead of the Assembly elections. The journey will begin in Dindori, Nashik district.
During a press conference, NCP working president Praful Patel emphasized the importance of unity among the party and its allies in the ruling Mahayuti coalition, which includes the BJP and Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. Patel and other senior NCP leaders, including Chhagan Bhujbal, as well as Cabinet ministers and MLAs, were present to announce the yatra schedule. The NCP plans to visit constituencies held by allies as well, aiming to showcase a united front.In international news, President Droupadi Murmu will start her two-day state visit to New Zealand on Thursday. This visit, at the invitation of New Zealand’s Governor-General Cindy Kiro, will be the first presidential visit from India to New Zealand in eight years.
Waqf act : AIMPLB member argues that the Constitution allows religions to manage their own affairs, questioning the inclusion of non-Muslims in Waqf bodies.
The Narendra Modi-led NDA government is likely to table a Bill meant to amend the Waqf Act, 1995 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The Waqf Amendment Bill, which aims to give the government more control over Waqf affairs and the functioning of Waqf Boards, has faced strong criticism from Muslim groups and opposition parties.
Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, a Sunni cleric and AIMPLB member, shared his views with The Indian Express on the proposed changes:
Need for Amendment: He believes the current Waqf Act of 1995 is sufficient for managing and developing Waqf properties, and no amendments are needed.
Democratic Process: The Waqf Board’s structure is democratic, with its chairman elected by the mutawallis (caretakers) of Waqf properties. The proposed Bill suggests that the chairman would be appointed rather than elected, which he sees as undemocratic. He also argues that Waqf Boards are not operating arbitrarily, as the CEO is already appointed by the government.
Waqf Tribunals: The current law provides for Waqf Tribunals to handle disputes about Waqf properties, with a judicial member and two government-appointed members. If people are unhappy with the tribunal’s decision, they can go to court.
Property Claims: He refutes the idea that any Muslim can claim and register a property as Waqf without proper legal processes. There are strict procedures for registering Waqf properties.
Revenue from Properties: Contrary to claims that Waqf Boards hold a large number of properties with no income, he explains that over 80% of Waqf properties are non-revenue generating, such as mosques, graveyards, orphanages, or madrasas.These don’t give income because they can’t be sold or transferred… The Constitution gives all religions the right to manage their own affairsPeople are questioning how non-Muslims can be included in Waqf bodies when Waqf is a religious institution for Muslims. They’re also wondering if Muslims would be placed in other religious bodies if this happens. This uncertainty is causing concern among Muslims.
The government claims the new legislation will make Waqf management more transparent. However, there is skepticism about this. For example, mosques collect donations every Friday to cover their expenses. Some Waqf properties are used for commercial activities. There are already rules in place for auditing Waqf properties and ensuring that 7% of their income goes to the Waqf Boards.