Muslim leaders expressed disapproval against the Waqf Amendment Bill at “Tahaffuz-E-Auqaf” conference in Jaipur, Rajasthan. In the meeting held at Moti Doongri Road on Sunday, leaders criticized the “Hindutva politics of BJP that intends to govern the Waqf administration”. They also slammed “the anti-Muslim propaganda theories that weave different narratives to justify unfair amendments”.
Saharanpur MP, Imran Masood who is also a member at Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) complained that BJP is spreading-up “misleading claims” about Waqf ownership which are “designed to justify the amendment”, but in reality Muslims don’t indulge into encroachments.
Imran said that government is deliberately targeting the religious assets of Muslims including mosques, shrines, graveyards and Eidgahs, and the governmental scrutiny is only part of the plan to establish autocracy.
Expressing rage at the ongoing hullabaloo, Adarsh Nagar MLA Rafeek Khan joined the row, claiming that the JPC is listening to those who don’t understand Waqf.
“It’s disappointing that JPC president Jagdambika Pal is allowing presentations from individuals who either focus on praising PM Modi or discussing unrelated case studies.” Rafeek said with distress.
The conference criticized the key controversial points of the amendment which can “horribly reduce the autonomy of Muslims”.
“Imagine leaders like Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, MP Giriraj Singh or Jaipur MLA Balmukundacharya on a Waqf board” MLA Rafeeq expressed his fear in order to shed light on the horrible repercussions of adding non-Muslim MPs and MLAs to the panel.
While Shahid Hasan, a reputed Waqf member, indicated how BJP and the right-wing forces aim to limit the powers to donate properties.
The Muslim leaders at Tahaffuz-E-Auqaf said that a Hindu trust would not allow Muslims to regulate their religious matters and thus it’s unfair to permit non-Muslims to interfere with Waqf.
Stressing on the independence of donated properties the leaders called out for a patient and composed approach that can respect the Waqf institutions and ensure rights of Muslim community.
Apart from leading Muslim politicians many grassroot activists also joined in the conference with bold posters to demonstrate munity. “Waqf properties are our heritage”, “Waqf Amendment Bill, Take It back! Take it back!” read some placards.
At the end the “Tahaffuz-E-Auqaf” meeting announced a protest march at Delhi which would be held in upcoming weeks of November.
