We will not allow the Waqf Amendment Bill to be passed", Sharad Pawar assured Muslim Personal Law Board delegation

Mumbai...

A delegation of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, led by the Board's

General Secretary MI Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi, met NCP leader and Rajya

Sabha member Mr. Sharad Pawar at his residence on Sunday and presented a

memorandum regarding the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The

delegation demanded the rejection of the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating that it

is against the Constitution of India.

The Board's General Secretary briefed Mr. Pawar that for some time now, a false narrative has been consistently spread that any land or property claimed by the Waqf Board automatically becomes its property. The reality, however, is that thousands of acres of Waqf land are under illegal occupation of others including the central and state governments, and efforts have been ongoing on for years to reclaim them. However, there is a fear that if this controversial bill is passed, all those lands will be taken away from the Waqf Board's possession. He further stated that under the existing Waqf Act (1995), there is a multi-tiered judicial system to settle such disputes. After the Waqf Tribunal, there is the option of approaching the High Courts and Supreme Court. However, with the current amendment, all judicial matters will be transferred to the district collector/DM. Obviously, no collector in the country will have the courage to make a decision against the government.

The delegation also strongly objected to the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board and the Central Waqf Council, and the proposal to remove the requirement of a Muslim for the post of CEO. Highlighting other shortcomings of the bill, the General Secretary said, "We believe that this bill has been introduced to encroach Waqf properties which is absolutely unacceptable to us. Instead of any amendment in the bill Muslims reject it in totality." The delegation demanded Mr. Pawar that his party and the India Alliance must put enough pressure on government to withdraw the Bill.

After listening to the Muslim representatives, the veteran leader assured to the delegation We will not allow it to be passed in the parliament in any circumstances. He said that NCP Member of Parliament, Mr. Suresh Mhatre Alias Balya Mama, is a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee and we have instructed him to fully represent the sentiments of Muslims in the committee. The Board's General Secretary thanked Mr. Pawar for his unequivocal assurance and expressed his best wishes for his health and well- being.

Besides the members of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board present in Mumbai, prominent personalities of the Muslim community of Mumbai were also present in the delegation, including MI Mahmood Ahmad Khan Daryabadi, Abu Asim Azmi, Dr. Zahir Qazi, Mufti Saeedur Rehman, Salim Motorwala, Shia cleric Maulana Rooh Zafar, Shakir Sheikh, Maulana Anis Ahmad Ashrafi, MI Burhanuddin Qasmi, Dr. Azeemuddin, Hafiz Iqbal Chunawala, Naeem Sheikh, and Sahil Subedar.