Don't let the Waqf Amendment Bill be passed: All India Muslim Personal Law Board President appeals to MPs

New Delhi, April 1, 2025 (Press Release) All India Muslim Personal Law Board has appealed to all secular political parties, including BJP’s allies and members of Parliament, to strongly oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill and to not vote in its favour under any circumstances.

The President of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, has appealed to all secular parties and members of Parliament to not only strongly oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill when it is presented in Parliament tomorrow but also to vote against it to prevent the BJP’s communal agenda. He stated that this bill is not only based on discrimination and injustice ,but also directly contradicts the provisions of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution.

He further stated that through this bill, the BJP aims to weaken Waqf laws and pave the way for the seizure and destruction of Waqf properties. Even with the existence of the Places of Worship Act, the issue of searching for temples in every mosque is continuously escalating. If this amendment is passed, there will be a surge in illegitimate governmental and non-governmental claims on Waqf properties, making it easier for Collectors and District Magistrates to seize them.

The Board President further said in his appeal that these amendments would lead to the abolition of Waqf by-user, the removal of exemptions from the Law of Limitation, the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council and the reduction of the powers of the Waqf Tribunal—changes that would effectively strip Waqf properties of their legal protections. Additionally, the inclusion of government entities (central and state governments, municipal corporations, and semi-autonomous bodies) in this Act, along with the provision for government claims to be resolved by Collectors or District Magistrates instead of the Waqf Tribunal, is an amendment that would legitimize governmental encroachment on Waqf properties. It is also necessary to mention that these protections are granted to religious endowments of other communities as well and thus, exclusively targeting Muslim Waqf properties is an act of discrimination and injustice.

Maulana Rahmani further stated in his appeal that our country is globally recognized for Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and for mutual respect for each other's religions, customs and festivals. However, unfortunately, the power of the nation is currently in the hands of those who seek to destroy this atmosphere of communal harmony and create anarchy and chaos.

I expect you and your party will strongly oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 when it will be tabled in the parliament tomorrow and will not disappoint lakhs of Muslim citizens across the nation,who have faith in you and whom you represent.