Dispute between Muslim organisations in the JPC meeting

Waqf Amendment Bill
Pasmanda Samaj (Backward class) Muslim leaders support the Bill

New Delhi – Since the Bill amending the Waqf Act was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), the committee has held a few meetings. In the meeting of this committee held on 20th September, it was seen that there were differences among the Muslim organisations. The committee will meet various stakeholders, including Government officials and legal experts.

Various Muslim organisations presented their views in the two-day meeting. Some of them strongly opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill; but the leaders of Pasmanda Samaj Muslims supported this bill. The All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz (AIPMM) has expressed support for Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, calling it an “Important step” to eliminate corruption in the management of Waqf properties. The representatives from the organisation had deposed before the Joint Committee constituted to deliberate on the legislation. “The country is not run according to Quran or Shariat, but based on the laws of India. Because of this, there must be a change in the law of the Waqf Board, it is understood that some Pasmanda Muslim leaders have put forward a firm stand in the meeting. A leader is said to have said in this meeting that the Waqf Boards are treating poor Muslims very badly.

Documents of many properties under the control of Waqf Boards in the states are not available and what should be done about the ownership of such properties ? This became a major point of contention in the committee meetings. Although the authority to decide the ownership of properties has been given to district officials, Muslim organizations have opposed it. Therefore, the Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will conduct informal discussions in five states with various stakeholders from 26th September to 1st October. The five cities to visit are namely Karnavati, Mumbai, Bhagyanagar, Bengaluru and Chennai.