Mumbai: Ahead of the meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Thursday on Draft Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Samajwadi Party legislator has written to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant and NCP (SP) MP Suresh alias Balyamama Mhatre urging them to take firm stand against the bill. Shaikh said that the Bill is a move to appease the 'Hindu vote bank' and the BJP will exploit this for the electoral gains in the upcoming elections.
In his letter to Sawant and Mhatre, who are members of the JPC on Waqf Bill, Shaikh said that the majority of the Waqf land has been encroached upon. If the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is approved, those who have encroached on Waqf land will automatically become its owners, and government interference in the religious properties of the Muslim community will increase, said Shaikh. The letter has also been sent to Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the JPC on Waqf Bill.
Shaikh further said that the amendment bill will benefit a certain section of the construction industry who have taken over Waqf land. "The union government appears to be attempting to seize strategic Waqf lands through this amendment. It seems to be a move to appease the 'Hindu vote bank,' and BJP will exploit this for the electoral gains in the upcoming elections," said Shaikh.
Listing the contentious provisions of the draft bill, Shaikh said the Waqf Board has the authority to use Waqf property for the upliftment of the Muslim community. "The Waqf (Amendment) Bill removes charitable donations, which are the core of Waqf, leading to strong discontent among Muslims," said Shaikh.
Other provisions include appointment of two non-Muslims to Waqf Boards, removal of Waqf Board powers to determine whether it is a Waqf property and to take action against encroachment and possession issues on Waqf properties. Transferring adjudicating powers to district magistrates and allowing individuals who have held Waqf land for over twelve years to become the owners are other contentious provisions.
"We strongly oppose these provisions strongly as it will increase undue interference in religious institutions.
Also, it will give safe passage to non-Muslims to usurp Minority land," added Shaikh.
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