Aaj Tak News Live: New Waqf Act Proposes Inclusion of Non-Muslims and Muslim Women

As the Indian government prepares to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju has highlighted the long-standing demand from “poor Muslim groups” to revise the legislation.

The proposed legislation, known as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, of 1995, aims to enhance accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in the functioning of Waqf boards.

BREAKING- Waqf amendment details-

Key proposals:

– Existing Waqf to file all details.

– Inclusion of women, advocates, and experts in the Council.

– Waqf Council to be led by a Union Minister.

VERY GOOD NEWS pic.twitter.com/YJHCBejtr6

— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) August 7, 2024

Representation of Muslims and Non-Muslims:

The bill ensures the representation of both Muslim and non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards.
It also establishes a separate Board of Auqaf for “Boharas and Aghakhanis.”
The amendment emphasizes representation from Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani, and other backward classes among Muslim communities.

Very well researched waqf amendment bill 2024 has been prepared the central govt. I thank the government for understanding the issue and bringing legislative changes to it. This bill will solve the issue and stop the illegal activities under the garb of waqf.

— Vishnu Shankar Jain (@Vishnu_Jain1) August 7, 2024

Registration and Database:

The bill proposes a central portal and database for registering Waqf properties.
It outlines a detailed procedure for property mutation, ensuring due notice to all concerned parties before recording any property as waqf property.

Effective Administration:

The statement of objects and reasons highlights that the existing Waqf Act has not fully addressed issues related to State Waqf Boards’ powers, property registration, and removal of encroachments.
Comprehensive amendments were previously made in 2013 based on recommendations from the High-Level Committee and the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Waqf.
Despite these amendments, further improvements are necessary to enhance the administration of auqaf.

Scope of Waqf:

Waqf refers to properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law.
Currently, Waqf Boards control approximately 8.7 lakh properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across India, with an estimated value of 1.2 lakh crores.