The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has voiced staunch opposition to the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, with its president, Maulana Khalid Saifullah, pledging to resist its implementation “at any cost.” Speaking at an event in Kanpur, Saifullah expressed that AIMPLB members would even be willing to “give their lives” to prevent the bill from moving forward, as it threatens the preservation of Waqf properties.
Concerns Over Waqf Properties and Potential Non-Muslim Representation
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, tabled in Parliament on July 28, seeks to limit Waqf boards’ authority to designate properties as “Waqf properties.” Additionally, it proposes that the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards include Muslim women and non-Muslim representatives, a move that has drawn criticism from AIMPLB. Saifullah voiced his concerns, arguing that non-Muslim involvement could jeopardize the protection of mosques, graveyards, and other Waqf properties.
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Fear of Property Loss and Religious Parity Concerns
Saifullah pointed to state-owned temple lands in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, totaling over a million acres, to argue that Muslim Waqf properties amounting to approximately six lakh acres should similarly remain under exclusive management. “Why is there a problem if Muslims manage Waqf lands?” he asked.
Allegations of Pressure Tactics and Concerns About Fairness
The AIMPLB president also alleged that the government is pressuring Waqf Board members to weaken their case in court by withholding documents. He expressed doubts about fair adjudication, suggesting that government officers, like district collectors, might favor the state in disputes with Waqf boards.
With the bill referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) amid widespread objections, the controversy continues to spark concerns within the Muslim community over the future management of Waqf assets.
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