Amidst the uproar over the perceived dilution of the authority of the Waqf Board, articulated strongly by Muslim organisations, the BJP-led NDA government is all set to bring in more than 40 amendments to the existing Act by introducing two Bills in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The two Bills would enable the initiation of reforms in the Waqf Board that has provisions for making it mandatory to have at least two women members on the Board.
Other key features of the proposed amendments include the registration of Waqf properties through a central portal and the protection of rights for the Bohra community.
The Amendment Bill should, in its opinion, take out the Board's power to declare any property as a 'Waqf property' by repealing Section 40 of the current Waqf Board Act.
The Waqf Amendment Bill provides for the repeal of the Waqf Act, 1923, and restructuring of Waqf Act, 1995, with the induction of 44 amendments for better functioning and working of the Act.
The amendments aim at making the Waqf Board more inclusive by making provisions for the reservation of women in the Central Waqf Council and its corresponding state boards.
The main proposed amendments in the new act are to rename the Waqf Act 1995 as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995. They provide adequate representation for all Muslim communities such as Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Aghakhani, and other backward classes. A separate Board of Auqaf is proposed for Bohras and Aghakhanis while representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims will be on the Central Waqf Council and the state Waqf Boards.
The proposed changes have found support among the leaders of various dargahs. A few of them met the Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, on Tuesday evening to extend their support to the legislation.
A delegation of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council comprising the most revered and prominent Sajjadanashins from various Dargahs all over India called on me, led by Shri Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman and Successor of the Present Spiritual Head Ajmer Dargah, to discuss a variety of vital issues pertaining to the Muslim Community, the Union minister shared on social media. "They appreciated and praised the efforts of PM Modi towards the welfare of the entire community and minorities in general."
According to reports, Waqf Boards manage a land bank of nearly 8.7 lakh properties, spread over a total area of about 9.4 lakh acres.
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