Union Home Minister Amit Shah has rejected claims that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, allows non-Muslims to participate in Waqf management, labeling such rumors as an attempt to mislead minorities. Shah clarified that no non-Islamic member will be part of Waqf, and there’s no provision for appointing non-Muslims to manage religious institution.
Shah accused opposition parties of spreading misinformation to create fear among minorities for political gain. He emphasized that the Waqf Act and Board have been in place since 1995, with no changes allowing non-Muslim interference in Waqf affairs.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to streamline Waqf Board’s work and ensure efficient management of Waqf properties. The bill proposes several key changes, including renaming the Act, updating definitions, improving registration processes, and increasing technology use in managing Waqf records.
Some of the key provisions of the bill include changes to the composition of Waqf Council and State Boards, dispute resolution mechanisms, and mandatory property registration. The bill also proposes the removal of the ‘Waqf by User’ clause, which allowed properties to be recognized as Waqf without formal documentation.
