New Delhi: A heated meeting of the Parliamentary Joint Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Bill took place in Mumbai on Thursday, marked by significant uproar and a boycott from opposition parties. The clash primarily involved Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske and TMC's Kalyan Banerjee, leading to a temporary halt in proceedings. The disruption occurred as the Gulshan Foundation was presenting its statement in support of the Waqf Bill when Banerjee attempted to interrupt. This sparked a fiery exchange between the two MPs, necessitating intervention from the committee chairman. Ultimately, opposition representatives decided to expel Mhaske from the meeting. However, after some negotiations, the JPC resumed discussions with stakeholders.
Understanding the Waqf Act and Its Implications
The Waqf Act, first enacted by the Nehru government in 1954, has undergone significant changes over the years. After being repealed, a new Waqf Act was passed by the Narasimha Rao government in 1995, enhancing the powers of Waqf boards. The Act was further expanded in 2013 under the Congress government led by Manmohan Singh, granting them extensive authority. Notably, if a Waqf claims a property, the affected party cannot pursue the matter in court, nor can state or central governments intervene. Instead, the victim must approach the same Waqf tribunal that claims ownership, raising concerns about justice and fairness.
The Waqf Act has drawn criticism for allegedly undermining the rights of non-Muslims, especially in cases involving land previously donated during the reign of Aurangzeb. Critics argue that while the Act enables Waqf to claim properties without proof of ownership, other religious communities face legal barriers due to laws like the Places of Worship Act of 1991, which preserves the religious status of places as they were in 1947.
Over the past few years, the property controlled by Waqf has reportedly doubled, with Dalits, tribals, and marginalized communities often being the victims of these claims. Waqf has emerged as the third-largest landowner in India, following the Railways and Army, controlling over 9 lakh acres of land. Critics express concern over the lack of transparency regarding how this land was acquired, and the increased scrutiny of Waqf's property claims continues to be a point of contention.
In response, the Modi government has introduced a bill aimed at curbing the Waqf's extensive powers, allowing victims to seek legal recourse. However, the opposition has labeled this move as an attack on Muslim rights, leading to the bill being sent to the JPC for further examination, where 21 Lok Sabha MPs and 10 Rajya Sabha MPs will evaluate its implications.
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