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Malegaon:
Eyeing an improved tally
in the forthcoming assembly elections especially in Uttar Pradesh,
the Congress is leaving no stone unturned to claim itself as the
only saviour of the Muslims. But community leaders in a nationwide
campaign against Waqf Amendment Bill, RTE Act and Direct Taxes
Code Bill are raising serious doubts over the ruling party’s
claim.
Continuing the verbal onslaught against the UPA government, All
India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPBL) secretary Maulana Syed
Mohd Wali Rahmani, who is on a visit to Malegaon, criticised the
Congress party for ignoring the amendments in the Waqf Amendment
Bill (2010) suggested by the board, and various other panels and
committees.
“On one hand, Congress ministers claim that the government is
working hard to stop misuse of the waqf properties, on the other,
the same ministers overlook our longstanding demands and
recommendations, which are also supported by the panels and
committees formed by their own government, for a stronger Waqf
Act”, he said while addressing a rally Wednesday night in
Malegaon. The rally called to press the government for bring in
amendments in the RTE Act 2009, Waqf Amendment Bill (2010) and the
proposed Direct Taxes Code Bill, was attended by hundreds of
people.
The All Indian Muslim Law Board (AIMPLB) is demanding since more
than a decade a stronger Waqf Act for the safety of the Waqf
properties – that according to an estimate are thousands of acres
of lands spread all across the country. Claiming that most of
these properties are either encroached over or are paid over a
very small amount in the form of rent by the tenants, the AIMPLB
is demanding suitable amendments in the Waqf Amendment Bill
(2010). The bill is passed by the Lok Sabha and is now lying with
the Steering Committee of the Rajya Sabha.
“One demand… just one demand. If you are really serious, bring the
Waqf Properties under the Public Premises Act and pay the rent of
the Waqf properties as per the fair market rate. Accept this and
we will never ask anything from you”, he demanded from the
government.
Waqf at a glance
The institution of Waqf in India is 800 years old. Literally, Waqf
means endowment of moveable or immovable property by Muslims for
the welfare of the poor and the needy and for maintaining
properties dedicated to mosques, tombs, orphanages, shrines,
Madaris and the like. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and
chairman of the joint parliamentary committee on Wakf, K. Rahman
Khan says, this makes the Waqf Boards – in total 35 located in
different parts of the country, the third-largest landholder after
the railways and defence. In his report, he estimated number of
registered Waqf properties in India as 3, 00,000 and as much as 4
lakh acres of land.
Waqf
Reforms
The Waqf Act was introduced first time in 1954 and went through
various amendments in 1969, 1984 and 1995. As per the promise made
in its election manifesto, Congress again proposed amendments in
the act and passed Waqf Amendment Bill (2010) in the Lok Sabha on
May 07, 2010. The bill, which now waits Rajya Sabha nod, came
after the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Wakf headed by RS Dy
Chairman K Rahman Khan presented its report. Suggestions from
other Muslim organistations including the All India Muslim Law
Board (AIMPLB) were also sought.
AIMPLB
Grievances
AIMPLB is not satisfied with the Waqf Amendment Bill (2010) and
feels, the act is still not strong enough to provide safety and
avoid misuse of the Waqf properties. It also expresses strong
reservations over some of the sections in the bill, especially the
idea of the Waqf Development Authority included in the bill. The
boards also says that its longstanding demands to bring the Waqf
properties under Public Premises’ Act and fair rent as per the
market rate are key, but they are being ignored by the government.
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