No Non-Muslim Can Intrude In Waqf Board, Says Kiren Rijiju
New Delhi:
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday dismissed allegations that the Waqf (Modification) Invoice, 2025, would hurt Muslim pursuits. He asserted that non-Muslims can’t intervene within the Waqf Board’s affairs as its administration and beneficiaries can be solely Muslims.
Kiren Rijiju addressed issues and criticism surrounding the laws after introducing the Invoice within the Rajya Sabha.
He dismissed allegations that the invoice would hurt Muslim pursuits and asserted that non-Muslims can’t intervene within the Waqf Board’s affairs as its administration, creation, and beneficiaries would stay completely Muslims.
Refuting claims that the invoice is unconstitutional or curtails rights, Kiren Rijiju acknowledged, “I categorically reject all these allegations. Any Muslim who needs to handle their property by way of a belief can accomplish that with out restrictions.”
He defined that the Waqf Board features equally to a Charity Commissioner, overseeing whether or not Waqf properties are managed correctly. The invoice ensures accountability, transparency, and capability constructing throughout the Waqf Board.
He emphasised that proof of possession would now be required earlier than a property is asserted Waqf, eliminating the earlier provision the place any declare by the Waqf Board routinely led to its designation as Waqf property.
Kiren Rijiju stated the invoice underwent thorough deliberations earlier than being launched. Over one crore memoranda and ideas have been acquired from the general public, and a Parliamentary Committee carried out consultations throughout ten cities — Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Patna, Chennai, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar and Lucknow.
Tracing previous efforts to reform the Waqf Board, he talked about the 1976 Congress-led authorities’s inquiry fee and the 2006 Sachar Committee Report, which really useful strengthening and digitizing the Waqf Board. On the time, Waqf properties totalled 4.9 lakh, with an annual revenue of Rs 163 crore. The Sachar Committee estimated that, correctly assessed, these properties may generate Rs 12,000 crore yearly. Right this moment, Waqf properties have grown to eight.72 lakh. Which means its income could be way more.
Kiren Rijiju additionally cited a reference of the JPC led by Okay. Rehman Khan, a former Minority Affairs Minister, which discovered insufficient infrastructure, manpower, and funding within the Waqf Board. The JPC had then proposed a centralized information financial institution and structured leasing insurance policies for Waqf properties.
He asserted that the Modi authorities is implementing suggestions that earlier Congress and UPA governments didn’t act upon.
Kiren Rijiju identified that the 2013 UPA authorities tried Waqf Board reforms forward of elections, forming a JPC with 13 members, holding 22 conferences, and consulting 14 states. “In distinction, the present JPC had 31 members, convened 36 conferences, engaged with 284 delegations and organisations, and consulted 25 states, 5 minority commissions, a number of MLAs and MPs,” he stated.
The variety of memoranda submitted has elevated dramatically from 32 in 2013 to over one crore now, he stated.
Kiren Rijiju additionally stated the BJP authorities had the desire to deliver these long-pending reforms. “These committees have been arrange throughout Congress and UPA rule, but they didn’t act. The Narendra Modi authorities is fulfilling these suggestions that the Congress didn’t dare to implement,” he stated.
The invoice, in keeping with the Minister, ensures higher accountability and effectivity in Waqf property administration, addressing longstanding issues whereas safeguarding the rights and autonomy of the Muslim group.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
