Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP Mohammad Basheer told the protesters that the current government was taking “anti-constitutional” actions.
“The JPC (joint parliamentary committee) chairman said this agitation is wrong and that the JPC gave all the chances to everyone. He is unnecessarily provoking everyone with these statements… the government is looting the waqf properties.”
Calling the bill a “draconian law”, Basheer added, “On behalf of IUML, I promise to fight the government inside and outside the Parliament”.
Last month, the Union cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposed amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill after incorporating changes recommended by the JPC. The approval paves the way for the bill to be tabled in Parliament in the second half of the budget session that began on 10 March.
News reports said the Union cabinet incorporated most of the changes suggested by the JPC, headed by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal.
“The Joint Parliamentary Committee and Waqf had called AIMPLB before the committee after this amendment. We took cognisance of the things highlighted by AIMPLB before the committee. Not only that, we also made it a part of our report…so why are they going to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi?” Pal had earlier media persons. “After the amendment, a better law is going to be formed…poor, women, widows and children will also benefit from Waqf.”
Also Read: Here’s what JPC report on Waqf Bill redacted from Opposition’s dissent notes
‘Saving Muslim heritage’
According to Islamic law, waqf can be any property dedicated in the name of God for religious and charitable purposes. The proceeds from such properties are typically used to maintain mosques, fund schools, or provide for the poor. However, once designated as waqf, the property cannot be transferred through inheritance, sold, or given away.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes significant changes to the management of waqf properties in India, leading to extensive debate and concern within the Muslim community. This includes the inclusion of non-Muslim members in both the Central Waqf Council and state waqf boards.
Mustafa Hussain, a Muslim protester, told ThePrint that he joined the protest to condemn the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, adding that Muslims are not protesting against the government but against the decision. “These are Muslim properties. How can they lay claim on them?”
He said that Muslims were being “targeted” in India even though they are a part of the country just like people of other religions.
He added that Muslims have taken part in the freedom struggle and many were even killed for it, however, they are not being treated as Indians in the current day India.
“BJP’s main agenda is to create conflict between Hindus and Muslims. If the bill is passed, there will be an obvious tension created by RSS workers. We are protesting here for the government to hear our voices,” he said, adding that Muslims are protesting today to save the Muslim heritage for future generations.
Faizi Raza Khan, a political activist, said the government should take the bill back, “otherwise the protests will be carried forward”.
He said that the bill violated Articles 19 (freedom of speech and expression), 25 (freedom of religion) and 29 (safeguarding cultural and educational rights of minorities) of the Indian Constitution, along with Article 30, which guarantees the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
“Waqf properties are protected by the Waqf board. The government is directly attacking those properties. This is an attack on the constitutional fabric of India and it directly affects the liberty of thoughts and expressions,” Khan told ThePrint.
He added that “waqf” is a permanent dedication by a person professing Islam and the right to protect it should be with the religious community.
“People of different communities are ready to come and support us. The decision should have been unanimous. Muslims were not even made a part of JPC,” he said.
Mohammad Aijaz Qasmi, an AIMPLB member, told ThePrint that Muslims are democratically protesting against the bill. He said that the community was not against any specific government and only wanted to exercise the right granted to them by the law.
“In Delhi, we have almost 130 properties belonging to Waqf as per the organisation while the government claims that it doesn’t. Waqf properties have huge value for Muslims,” he said.
“We don’t interfere in the property matters of any other religions, why is this being done to us? A 600-year-old mosque was demolished in Mehrauli. Did DDA (Delhi Development Authority) exist back then? How was that property an encroachment?” Qasmi asked, adding that if the bill is passed it will affect the education of thousands of Muslim children. “Muslims in India need education, and this is an attack on that.”
“All mosques, graveyards and madrasas will be taken from us. Our future is at stake. This bill is an attack on our identity,” said another protester, Mohammad Jawaad, adding that they are protesting because they still have hopes with the government. “Modi ji should do something that brings Hindus and Muslims together.”
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)
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