Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 1: Muslim religious and community leaders have urged the government to respect constitutional values and withdraw the Wakf Amendment Bill 2024to uphold the religious rights of all citizens.

Addressing media on Saturday March 1, they said, “The Wakf Amendment Bill 2024, introduced in parliament in August last year, has sparked widespread opposition, with critics labelling it an attack on the religious freedom of Muslims. Following strong resistance, the bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for review. However, the committee has reportedly dismissed amendments suggested by opposition representatives and introduced even more contentious provisions, further intensifying concerns over the bill's impact.

“Muslim community leaders and religious scholars have strongly condemned the bill, arguing that it threatens the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, particularly the religious freedom of India’s largest minority community. They have demanded its immediate withdrawal by the central government.

“Wakf properties are donations made in the name of God and are intended exclusively for religious and social welfare purposes within the community. The Wakf Act was first established in 1913 to regulate these assets, with subsequent amendments in 1955, 1995, and 2013 to ensure their protection. The Indian Constitution, under Articles 25 to 28, recognizes religious freedom as a fundamental right. Article 26, in particular, grants religious groups the right to establish and manage institutions for religious and social purposes, as well as to own and manage properties.

“The BJP-led central government has proposed radical amendments to the Wakf Act, introducing a new bill titled United Wakf - Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, Development (UMEED) Act. Community leaders argue that the amendments are aimed at undermining Wakf assets and reducing the community's control over them.

“Many Wakf properties have existed for centuries, often through verbal agreements. Under the proposed amendment, any Wakf property that does not have documented proof within six months will no longer be recognized as Wakf land. Previously, the government appointed an independent surveyor with expertise in Islamic law and Wakf affairs. The amendment transfers this responsibility to district collectors, raising concerns about impartiality. Until now, only Muslim officials could be appointed to the Wakf Tribunal to handle disputes. The new bill removes this requirement, while also mandating the inclusion of at least two non-Muslim members in the Wakf Board. Critics question why this change is being made only for Wakf institutions when religious institutions of other communities remain under their respective management.

“The Joint Parliamentary Committee received 9.8 million written objections from the public, the majority of which opposed the amendments. However, the government has reportedly disregarded these objections and proceeded with the bill in both Houses of Parliament.

“Opponents argue that the amendment is a move toward government control over Wakf assets and an attempt to weaken the religious and cultural identity of the Muslim community. They assert that the bill represents an extreme form of communal politics, threatening the existence and rights of the minority community,” they said.

Leaders at the forefront of the opposition have urged all citizens who believe in the Constitution, secularism, and India's pluralistic values to raise their voices against the bill.

Religious leaders and scholars including Khazi Ahmad Musliyar Takha Ustad, Khazi Zainul Ulama Mani Ustad, Sayyid Ismail Thangal Ujire, Usmanul Faizi Thodaru, U K Muhammad Sadi Valavoor, U K Abdul Aziz Darimi Chokkabetu, S P Hamza Sakhafi Bantwal, N K M Shafi Sadi Bengaluru, Abdul Hameed Darimi Sampya, P P Ahmad Sakhafi Kashipatna, K I Abdul Khader Darimi Kukkil, P M Usman Sadi Pattori, K L Umar Darimi Pattori, T M Muhiyuddin Kamil Sakhafi Toke, Dr M S M Zaini Kamil, Anees Kausari, Umar Darimi Salmar, Qasim Darimi Savanoor, M Y Abdul Hafeez Sadi Kodagu, Abu Bakr Siddiq Darimi Kadaba, K K M Kamil Sakhafi Suribail, Rafiq Hudavi Kolar, K M Abu Bakr Siddiq Montugoli, Hussain Darimi Renjaladi, M P M Ashraf Sadi Malluru, Abu Saleh Faizi Tumbe, Muhammad Ali Turkalike, and Muhammad Musliyar Mundol were present. The meeting was led by B A Abdul Nasir Lakki Star, president of the Dakshina Kannada Wakf Advisory Committee, and Ashraf Kinar, vice president of the Dakshina Kannada Wakf Advisory Committee, were present at the press meet.