Waqf Board: Nowadays, the term ‘Waqf Board’ is very popular on all social media sites due to the controversy of the ‘Waqf Board Amendment Bill‘. This bill was under consideration and is supposed to have provisions restricting the property holdings by the Waqf Board, hence raising the political temperature substantially, especially in Uttar Pradesh.
The Significance of the Waqf Board
The Waqf Board is the largest institution that holds and runs the religious properties donated by Muslims. At present, it ranks third both in terms of ownership of land in India, after the Railways and the Catholic Church, with more than 8 lakh acres under its management. The board would be more important for society in keeping the religious and charitable property donated in the name of Allah.
The row has drawn in reactions from former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who targeted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on its approach toward the Waqf Board. Yadav pointedly accused the BJP of having a single-point agenda regarding Hindu-Muslim issues, instead of substantive governance. He added, “BJP has no work other than putting wedge between Hindus and Muslims or snatching people’s rights. Whatever rights the Muslims have, be it right to freedom or practice of religion, the government tries to undertake control by interfering in that particular matter.”
The Waqf Board’s Key Role and Its Property Holdings
Yadav also took a potshot at UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the issue of ‘Nazul Bhoomi’, or land under dispute. The Samajwadi Party leader attacked Adityanath’s ‘misconception’ of the term as ‘Nazul’ was mistakenly attributed to Muslim land. Yadav went on to say that the amendment bill, which according to reports is opposed even within the BJP circles, is a move to undermine Muslim rights and properties.
Much attention has been paid to the debate over the Waqf Board Amendment Bill online. Speculation is rife that the central government is soon going to introduce legislation that would curtail the board’s power over its properties. This intensifies the already-charged political climate in UP, reflective of wider concerns over religious and property rights in the state.
Any discussions that continue in terms of political debate on issues like communal harmony or property management will have to contend with the proposed bill and its implications as one of the focal points.
