By Nishant Ketu
New Delhi [India] September 20 : The sixth meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, held on Friday saw broad support from various stakeholders for the proposed legislation aimed at enhancing the management and regulation of Waqf properties in India.
The meeting in Parliament included contributions from All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, Ajmer, Muslim Rashtriya Manch, Delhi and Bharat First, Delhi.
According to the sources, the meeting began with a presentation of Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, Ajmer. In its presentation, AISSC advocated for the autonomy of shrines and supported the bill.
Sources said that the council alleged that despite the significant role of dargahs in Islamic tradition in India, the Waqf Board has been engaging in discrimination. The council also accused the improper use of Waqf funds and irregularities in its management, leading to a heated debate between council members and opposition MPs.
The council clearly stated that 7 per cent of the funds allocated to dargahs go to the Waqf Board, without providing any accountability for their use. In response, opposition MPs demanded that the council present a detailed report on the funds received by the dargahs to the committee.
Sources said that while supporting the bill, the council clarified that it would help curb attempts to seize property or land under the name of Waqf. Opposition MPs also raised questions about the legal authority of Hereditary Sajjadaship or Successor. They said that deemed hereditary succession among Sajjadanashins is illegal.
However, the council made it clear that the court ruling on this matter has already been in their favour. Along with this, the council assured that all necessary documents requested by the committee would be submitted within the stipulated time.
Sufi Shah Malang, a Cell Muslim Rashtriya Manch, also gave a detailed presentation before the committee and strongly supported the bill.
As per the sources, at the meeting, National Convener of Sufi Shah Malang Cell Tahir Shah, presented a demand for the creation of a separate Auqaf Board for the Sufi Shah Malang (Faqir) community in light of various amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995. He also recommended that women from the Muslim extremely backward nomadic community be given representation in the Waqf Board Council and the State Waqf Board.
Sources informed that he proposed forming the Waqf Board by the Indian Constitution, ensuring the participation of non-Muslims. The Hindustani Muslim Sufi Shah-Malang (Faqir) community expressed full support for the new Waqf Amendment Bill and appreciated the Modi government. In response, opposition party MPs, especially from the muslim community strongly opposed these views.
Bharat First, a Delhi-based NGO also presented its detailed stance during the meeting, strongly supporting the bill.
As per sources, the 10-member representative team, led by Advocate Shiraz Quraishi and Shahid Saeed, gave its presentation and stated that the bill aims to address inefficiency, corruption and mismanagement by focusing on transparency, accountability and the socio-economic upliftment of the Muslim community.
Bharat First suggested digitisation of the property and said that a centralized digital registry for real-time property monitoring would increase transparency and curb illegal encroachments. Modern financial tools will also be utilized to support welfare projects.
It also suggested that independent annual audits of Waqf Boards will ensure public access to financial data, while a Central Waqf Tribunal will expedite dispute resolution.
The NGO also said that the inclusion of local committees, encouraging community participation and equitable resource management in smaller waqf properties can be done.
Bharat First alleged that financial mismanagement in Waqf Board accounts, illegal occupation of prime waqf properties, thousands of unresolved waqf-related disputes hindering asset recovery and efficient management, and elite control over waqf properties have further hampered equitable distribution.
Sources said that the NGO suggested adopting global models and said that countries like Turkey, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have modernised waqf management, integrating waqf assets into national development plans and using corporate models to generate public welfare income.
It also said that effective implementation of the Waqf Board Bill 2024 will require staff training, technology integration and community engagement, with a focus on healthcare, education and economic empowerment.
The meeting of Joint Committee of Parliament has been met with opposition from various members, who have raised several key points. The opposition argues that the bill removes the provision of "Waqf by user," which allows individuals to declare a property as Waqf based on usage.
Source said that the opposition is also against the abolition of the Waqf Tribunal, which currently has the power to decide on Waqf-related disputes.
The appointment of a collector to oversee Waqf properties is not acceptable to the opposition, who argue that this will lead to government interference in Waqf affairs.
Also, the opposition objects to the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, citing concerns about the erosion of Muslim autonomy over Waqf properties.
The committee is to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the last day of the first week of the next parliament session. The committee has received over 9 million suggestions via email so far.