In a recent parliamentary session, Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the amendments to the Waqf Act will be enacted and must be adhered to by all citizens. Addressing opposition concerns, Shah questioned, “Who are you threatening? This bill is going to be passed by Parliament and will apply to all. The coming law will be an enactment of the Government of India, and every citizen will be obliged to comply with it.”
Shah accused opposition parties of misleading the Muslim community to maintain their vote bank, stating that they are making misleading claims to scare Muslims so that their vote bank remains intact. He clarified that the bill targets administrative bodies like waqf boards, councils, and tribunals, and does not interfere with the management of mosques, which will remain under Muslim control.
Criticizing the 2013 amendments made by the previous Congress-led UPA government, Shah labeled them as acts of “appeasement politics.” He highlighted that these changes expanded waqf properties from 1.8 million acres to 3.9 million acres and made waqf tribunal decisions immune to judicial review by removing the authority of revenue and civil courts to hear appeals. Shah questioned the constitutionality of placing a body above judicial scrutiny and asserted that the current government has rectified these changes.
Shah also referenced the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), noting that despite opposition claims, not a single Muslim has lost citizenship due to the CAA. He argued that the amendments to the Waqf Act aim to benefit the Muslim community by promoting transparency and reducing corruption within waqf institutions.
The proposed amendments have sparked debates, with opposition parties expressing concerns over potential impacts on minority rights. However, the government maintains that these changes are essential for ensuring accountability and proper management of waqf properties.
