New Delhi, 8th August. The Congress Party has announced its intention to oppose the introduction of a bill aimed at amending the law governing Waqf boards in the Lok Sabha, according to sources on Thursday. Congress MPs K.C. Venugopal and Hibi Eden have formally submitted notices against the bill’s introduction.
Hibi Eden, in his notice, described the proposed bill as “unconstitutional,” arguing that it conflicts with the Right to Property (Article 300A) and could potentially infringe on the property rights of individuals and religious institutions without adequate legal protections. Eden also contended that the bill encroaches on the Fundamental Right of Religious Freedom under Article 25.
The bill proposes new conditions for the creation and management of waqfs, including a requirement for existing waqfs to register detailed information on a government portal. Eden argues that this could be seen as undue interference in the administration of religious endowments and an infringement on state powers.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to introduce significant changes, including renaming the Waqf Act, 1995, to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It aims to amend the current law by omitting Section 40, which gives the Board powers to determine if a property is waqf property.
The bill also proposes the broad-based representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards and the establishment of a separate board for the Bohras and Aghakhanis. Additionally, it ensures representation for Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Aghakhanis, and other backward classes among Muslim communities.
The draft bill was circulated among Lok Sabha members on Tuesday night in preparation for its introduction.
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