Sufi Islamic Board Calls for Transfer of Waqf Board to Home Ministry Amid Allegations of Misuse

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 9^th August. In a bold statement that could reshape the future of the Waqf Board, the Sufi Islamic Board has urged that the Waqf Board be moved from the Ministry of Minority Affairs to the Home Ministry, citing rampant misuse over the past 70 years. This call comes as the Waqf Amendment Bill is being discussed in Parliament, with significant implications for the management and regulation of Waqf properties across the country.

Khan’s comments suggest that the Board aims to reform the Waqf system and prevent future misuse

“The manner in which the Waqf Board has been misused in the last 70 years, we gave a few suggestions to the Waqf Board in wake of that. Our primary suggestion was that it should be taken out of the Minority Ministry and brought under the Home Ministry so that all the encroachments can be removed and if something misuse happens, the Home Ministry can intervene directly, file cases and prosecute…The Bill states that it would come under Collector. There is no issue, things will be better than before,” Mansoor Khan told ANI.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, National President of Sufi Islamic Board, Mansoor Khan says, "The manner in which Waf Board has been misused in last 70 years, we gave a few suggestions to the Waqf Board in wake of that. Our primary suggestion was that… pic.twitter.com/53ZCSmybDv

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

Mansoor Khan, National President of the Sufi Islamic Board, voiced his support for the changes proposed in the Bill, which include placing the Waqf Board under the jurisdiction of the local Collector. “There is no issue with the Bill as it stands. In fact, things will be better than before,” Khan stated, emphasizing that such a move would bring greater accountability and transparency to the functioning of the Waqf Board.

The Waqf Amendment Bill has sparked intense debate, with critics arguing that it could lead to bureaucratic overreach, while proponents like the Sufi Islamic Board see it as a necessary step to curb decades of alleged corruption and mismanagement. The Sufi Islamic Board’s endorsement of the Bill reflects a growing sentiment within certain sections of the Muslim community that stronger oversight is needed to protect the sanctity and purpose of Waqf properties.

Mansoor Khan highlighted that the current management under the Ministry of Minority Affairs has failed to address the long-standing issues, leading to the proposed transfer of control to the Home Ministry. “We believe that the Home Ministry is better equipped to handle the complexities of Waqf management, given its broader mandate and resources,” he added.

Meanwhile, AIMIM Chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi fiercely criticized the Centre over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, arguing that it contains several dangerous provisions aimed at undermining Waqf properties and marginalizing Muslims.

“Before the Bill was introduced, we had sent a notice to the Speaker—under Rule 72—expressing our strong opposition. We believe this Bill violates the principles of Articles 14, 15, and 25 of the Constitution. It infringes upon the basic structure of the Constitution, particularly judicial independence and the separation of powers. The Bill is a tool to seize mosques and dargahs claimed by right-wing Hindutva organizations. By eliminating the concept of ‘Waqf by User,’ you’re demanding documents that may be over 400 years old. How do you expect us to produce those?” Owaisi questioned.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. The proposed changes include omitting section 40, which grants the Waqf Board the power to determine if a property is Waqf property, requiring mutawallis (Waqf managers) to file accounts through a central portal for enhanced oversight, reforming the Tribunal structure with two members, and allowing appeals against Tribunal orders to the High Court within a specified ninety-day period.

Conclusion

This development marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse around Waqf reform in India, with potential ramifications for the administration of religious and charitable properties. As the Bill moves forward, all eyes will be on how the government responds to the demands for greater oversight and transparency in the management of Waqf properties, as well as the implications of shifting control to a different ministry.