Proposed amendments to the decades-old Waqf Act are met with backlash from Muslim groups and opposition parties, who argue that the changes threaten minority rights and may serve a political agenda, despite the government's claims of necessary reform to address corruption and mismanagement.
Indian Muslims Oppose Proposed Waqf Property Law Reforms Amidst Controversy
Indian Muslims Oppose Proposed Waqf Property Law Reforms Amidst Controversy
Protests emerge as changes to a longstanding law governing Muslim charitable properties fuel concerns over political motives and minority rights in India.
The Indian government’s proposed amendments to the Waqf Act have ignited widespread protests among Muslim communities, who claim the changes are politically motivated and threaten the preservation of their rights over properties that have been donated over centuries. The Waqf properties, which consist of mosques, madrassas, and shelter homes, generate controversy as the government aims to introduce over 40 amendments to the existing law during the current parliamentary session.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration argues that the reform is essential to combat corruption within the management of waqf properties and to ensure better oversight that reflects the demands of the Muslim community. However, many Muslim groups and opposition leaders contend that GOP intentions are not genuine and fear the amendments may erode existing rights.
Historically significant, waqf properties date back to the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th century and fall under a special status barring their sale or repurposing. Currently, approximately 872,351 waqf properties exist across India, estimated at a staggering valuation of around 1.2 trillion rupees ($14.22 billion). Although there is consensus about the necessity of fixing corruption issues prevalent within waqf boards, critics emphasize that encroachment on these sacred properties also warrants immediate legislative focus.
A 2006 report presented by the Justice Sachar Committee highlighted the low revenues generated from waqf lands, suggesting better management could yield an annual income of about 120 billion rupees—a stark contrast to the current estimates of 2 billion rupees. The government claims the proposed amendments take into account this recommendation, but the community's doubts linger.
The proposed revision to ownership rules remains contentious. Illegal encroachments and a lack of formal documentation for many waqf properties exacerbate the situation, particularly for historically vital structures. Experts like Professor Mujibur Rehman highlight the complexities involved in tracing the ownership of communal properties, influenced by historical management shifts.
Concern extends to the proposed inclusion of non-Muslims on waqf boards, provoking fears that Muslims could lose authority in managing their own religious properties, thereby putting forth implications of a more majoritarian state approach.
Other significant changes put forward suggest that waqf boards must now involve district collectors in validating claims to properties. This could diminish waqf boards' authority, feeding into fears that the amendments are perhaps veiled attempts to undermine Muslim control over their own assets.
Asaduddin Owaisi, a prominent spokesperson for the community, vehemently opposes these alterations, pointing to the risks they pose to historical mosques and dargahs. Many within the Muslim community echo this sentiment, asserting that while reform is indeed necessary, it must be executed with the community's priorities in mind.
As tensions simmer, the future of India's waqf properties hangs in the balance, caught between a proposed reform that the government argues aims for integrity and a community that feels its identity and legacy are being compromised.
