Congress to Oppose Waqf Board Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha

Delhi/Hyderabad, Aug 8 (Maxim News): The Congress is gearing up to oppose the introduction of a Bill aimed at amending the law governing Waqf Boards in the Lok Sabha, according to sources.

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Waqf Bill (AMENDMENT) Act Deprive Muslim Community Of Their Land, Assets, And Freedom To Manage Religious Affairs: Alleged Opposition Parties

The Union government’s proposed amendment to the Waqf Boards Act 1995 has sparked a political slugfest. Opposition parties allege that the proposals aim to deprive the Muslim community of their land, assets, and the “freedom to manage religious affairs” guaranteed under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution.

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Congress Leaders Voice Opposition

Congress MPs K.C. Venugopal and Hibi Eden have formally submitted notices to oppose the Bill’s introduction. Eden, in his notice, has labeled the Bill as “unconstitutional,” arguing that it conflicts with the Right to Property under Article 300A of the Constitution.

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Concerns Over Property Rights and Religious Freedom

Eden contends that the Bill could potentially infringe on the property rights of individuals and religious institutions without providing adequate legal safeguards. He further argues that the Bill violates the Fundamental Right to Religious Freedom under Article 25, citing concerns over the new conditions it imposes for creating waqfs and the requirement for existing waqfs to register detailed information on a government portal. Eden believes this could be perceived as undue interference in the administration of religious endowments.

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State Powers and Representation Issues

The Congress leader also sees the Bill as an encroachment on states’ powers. The proposed amendments to the Waqf Act, 1995, include significant changes such as ensuring the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf bodies. The Bill also seeks to rename the Waqf Act as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995.

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Broadening Representation

In addition to the above, the Bill proposes the establishment of a separate Board of Auqaf for the Bohras and Agakhanis and provides for the representation of various Muslim communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis, and other backward classes.

The Bill, circulated among Lok Sabha members on Tuesday night, is expected to face significant resistance from the Congress during its introduction. (Maxim News)

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