By Anwarulhaq Baig
NEW DELHI: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, faced strong backlash during a heated session of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Many JPC members, MPs, and leaders expressed strong objections. A delegation led by former MP Mohammad Adeeb from Indian Muslims for Civil Rights (IMCR) presented their concerns to the JPC chairman Jagdambika Rai, arguing against the bill.
Before the JPC meeting, IMCR hosted a conference at Ghalib Institute, New Delhi. The event, attended by AAP MP Sanjay Singh, SP MP Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, Congress MPs Naseer Hussain and Tariq Anwar, and former Union Minister K Rahman Khan, warned of nationwide protests similar to the farmers’ movement if the bill is not withdrawn.
Sanjay Singh: AAP MP Criticizes the Bill as a “Land Grab”
AAP MP Sanjay Singh denounced the bill as a “land grab” and called for a united front against it. Singh warned that the bill’s implications extend beyond Muslim religious properties, potentially affecting lands owned by various religious communities and marginalized groups.
He raised concerns about the bill leading to the seizure of lands belonging to Gurdwara Committees, Church Committees, Hindu temples, and dharamshalas, drawing a parallel with the controversial transfer of 13,000 acres of army land to Adanis in Ayodhya.
Singh also criticized the bill for undermining religious freedom and questioned the government’s commitment to the effective management of religious properties. He emphasized the need for similar principles to apply to other religious institutions, in line with Constitutional mandates under Article 26, which guarantees the right to religious management by members of the same religion.
Syed Naseer Hussain: Congress MP Dismisses Waqf Land Claims
Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain, another JPC member, highlighted efforts by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the INDIA alliance to push for a thorough review of the bill. Hussain criticized the claims that Waqf lands in India total “nine lakh acres,” comparing them to exaggerated figures like “one and a half Qatar” or “three Dubais.” He argued that the figures were part of a broader attempt to “communalize” and “polarize” the issue.
Hussain also condemned the use of terms like “land jihad,” which falsely accuses Muslims of unfairly seizing land. He argued that such rhetoric aims to create fear among other communities and misrepresent Muslims. He further criticized the inclusion of non-Muslims on Waqf Boards and tribunals, indicating that the government has no trust in Muslim officials and judges.
Maulana Muhibullah Nadvi: SP MP Calls for Resistance
Samajwadi Party MP Maulana Muhibullah Nadvi strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill, describing it as an assault on religious freedom and a bid to undermine Islamic institutions. He questioned the necessity of the bill and warned that if it is not withdrawn, he would make a public declaration from the Parliament mosque, reminiscent of the Babri Masjid controversy. Nadvi called for solidarity among all communities, including Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, as well as tribal and Dalit groups, to unite against the bill.
Mohammad Adeeb: IMCR chairman criticizes the Bill as discriminatory
Former MP and IMCR Chairman Mohammad Adeeb condemned the Waqf Amendment Bill as discriminatory and part of a broader attempt to undermine Muslim participation in managing Waqf properties. Adeeb warned that if the government pushed forward with the bill and encroached on Waqf properties, Muslims would resist it through protests.
K. Rahman Khan: Former Minister criticizes the Bill and highlights past achievements
Former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman and Union Minister K. Rahman Khan argued that the bill undermines progress made through previous Waqf Act amendments. Khan expressed concern over the bill’s provision to replace Survey Commissioners with district collectors and criticized the requirement that Waqf Board members must have practiced Islam for at least five years.
Hamdullah Sayeed: Lakshadweep MP condemns amendments
Lakshadweep MP Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed asserted that Waqf properties are not personal assets of the government or any individual. He emphasized that any changes impacting these properties are unacceptable and pledged collective resistance.
AIMPLB general secretary condemns the Bill
Maulana Fazlur Rahman Mujaddidi, General Secretary of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), strongly condemned the Waqf Amendment Bill, demanding its immediate withdrawal. Mujaddidi emphasized that the AIMPLB and other Muslim organizations have thoroughly reviewed and rejected the bill on legal grounds, urging MPs to support its retraction.
Dr. SQR Ilyas: AIMPLB spokesperson warns of nationwide protest
Dr. SQR Ilyas, AIMPLB spokesperson and leader of the Welfare Party of India (WPI), condemned the bill’s amendments as an unjustified attack on Waqf properties. He warned that if the bill is passed in Parliament, it will trigger a nationwide movement, with the entire community taking to the streets in protest.
Inamurrahman Khan: JIH official criticizes the Bill
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) Assistant Secretary Inamurrahman, supporting the AIMPLB’s stance, expressed strong opposition to the Bill. He highlighted the government’s failure to reconstitute the Central Waqf Council and argued that the bill’s amendments reveal a deliberate agenda to seize Waqf lands.
Zia-ur-Rehman Barq: SP MP calls for Bill’s retraction
SP MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq from Sambhal asserted that the government should retract the bill just as it did with the farmers’ legislation. He joined other speakers in condemning the proposed amendments as misleading and harmful.
The conference participants unanimously passed resolutions condemning the Waqf Amendment Bill and calling for its immediate withdrawal. They vowed to continue resisting the bill through protests and democratic means, seeking solidarity across religious and community lines.
