Govt Tables Waqf Bill In Rajya Sabha; Won’t Snatch Muslims’ Rights, Says Rijiju

He stressed that the entire exercise was aimed at bringing in the three pillars of transparency, accountability and efficiency. “We are not here to damage anybody’s religious affiliation,” Rijiju said. Citing a previous court judgment, the minister said it makes it clear that Waqf is a statutory body and not a representative body of Muslims. “In the amendment, we have made it clear that any person practising Islam for more than five years can dedicate properties to Waqf. There is no iota of doubt in who can create Waqf,” he said. “The new provisions that we have brought in, is that all the recognised sects of Muslims will constitute the Waqf Board — there will be Shias, there will be Sunnis and other backward classes will also be there in the Waqf Board as members so that the interests of all would be taken into account and I don’t think there should be any opposition to that. We are making it so inclusive,” Rijiju informed. He further said out of 22 members in the Central Waqf Council, not more than four will be non-Muslims including ex-officio members, besides three members of Parliament who can be of any religion. The Council must include two women members, he added. The question of the majority being Non-Muslims does not arise, he reiterated. “If we develop a Waqf property properly in the next few years, Muslims will prosper,” said the minister, appealing to the members in the Upper House to engage in a productive discussion and extend support to the bill. Rijiju said 31,999 cases are pending in the Waqf Tribunal and more than 14,000 litigants are Muslims, adding that the right to appeal has also been added. “We have not done this for any personal gain,” said the minister, as he emphasised that the intent behind the proposed legislation was to put an end to the malpractices of people grabbing other people’s property. “We should not say anything which creates a furore or gives rise to a conflict,” Rijiju said, urging members to share perspectives on the bill in a manner that enhances the quality of the debate. He expressed the hope that all members would extend support to the proposed legislation. (Agencies)