Waqf Amendment Bill Waqf Board Parliament BJP AIMIM Owaisi Muslim Clerics Controversy Sharia Law

Waqf Amendment Bill: The biggest discussion in the country at this time is the Waqf Amendment Bill. Which is to be introduced in Parliament soon. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a whip to its MPs to get this bill passed and an 8 -hour discussion has been decided on it. Earlier, an atmosphere has been created against this bill across the country. Protesting Muslims say that if this bill is passed, they will not back down from landing on the streets. Some have even threatened for self -immolation.

Waqf Board .. Religious or Legal Organization?

The protesters argue that this bill is against Islam. While the Waqf Board is not a religious organization but a legal institution. Despite this, confusion is being spread among Muslims by connecting it to Sharia. The question arises whether rumors are being resorted to like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Citizenship Register (NRC) in this case? Survey was conducted in 9 cities to know the thinking of the public on this issue. People’s views were seen divided. Some believe that there will be no harm from the Waqf bill. While some consider it a violation of the rights of Muslim society.

The opinion of religious leaders is also divided

Different opinions of Muslim religious leaders have come out in support and opposition to the bill. Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali of well-known Islamic Center of India has protested by linking this bill with Sharia. On the other hand, some scholars believe that it is necessary to curb the rights of the Waqf Board so that it is not misused. In the last few years, the Waqf Board has tried to take Hindu temples and other religious places under its jurisdiction .. which has increased the dispute. It is alleged that the Waqf Board is trying to capture Hindu religious places. Due to which there has been anger in Hindu society. Many people are also calling it the form of ‘Muslim land mafia’.

Waqf properties in India

Currently the Waqf Board has a large amount of assets. 889,041 movable-immovable assets. Property worth more than Rs 1.20 lakh crore. The Waqf Board has the highest number of land after the army and the railway. Interestingly, there is no institution called Waqf in many Islamic countries. There is no legal institution like Waqf in Türkiye, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia and Iraq.

Political equation and waqf bill

This bill is going to be discussed soon in the Lok Sabha. The BJP needs the support of its allies to get it passed. The NDA has the support of 293 MPs while 272 MPs are needed to pass the bill. The NDA has 115 MPs in the Rajya Sabha and 119 is needed. 6 Nominated MPs can vote in favor of NDA. The opposition is opposing this bill and Muslim religious leaders are also against it. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi remains the leader of this protest. Owaisi has also been a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Bill and is constantly opposing this bill.