The Waqf (Amendment) Bill proposes changes to the Waqf Act, 1995, including ensuring representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in waqf boards. The bill also renames the Act as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.
Further, it proposes a separate board of Auqaf for the Bohras and Aghakhanis, aiming to represent various Muslim communities.
Congress MP K C Venugopal, who had given notice to oppose the introduction of the Bill in the Lok Sabha, said that the bill is being brought to divide the people of the country.
Congress’ Hibi Eden has said in his notice that he opposes the presentation of the bill as it is “unconstitutional” and cited that it is in conflict with the Right to Property (Article 300A), ANI reported.He argued that the Bill can potentially infringe on the property rights of individuals and religious institutions without adequate legal safeguards.The Bill’s imposition of new conditions for creating waqfs and the requirement for existing waqfs to register detailed information on a government portal might be perceived as undue interference in the administration of religious endowments, he said in his notice.
