Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 4: Veteran parliamentarian and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda voiced his strong support for the new Waqf Bill during a speech in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, asserting that it aims to protect economically underprivileged Muslims from exploitation by wealthier community members.

Addressing the House, Deve Gowda clarified that the Bill strictly addresses revenue and administrative matters, without interfering with religious practices.

“The new Waqf Bill does not interfere with Muslim religious practices. This is very important to remember,” he affirmed, underscoring that the bill's primary focus is on ensuring better governance of Waqf properties.

The former Prime Minister explained that the legislation seeks to regulate the administration of properties managed by Waqf Boards, which oversee approximately 8.7 lac properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across India. These assets, estimated to be worth Rs 1.2 lac crore, have reportedly suffered from widespread mismanagement due to vested interests.

“This bill protects poor Muslims from their own rich. In the interest of justice, the new bill has been aligned with the basic principles of our Constitution,” Deve Gowda emphasized.
He reiterated that the government's duty extends to protecting the rights of all citizens, including Muslims.

“Muslim citizens are also equal citizens of this country. Their interests have to be protected by the government, and that is what the bill does,” he stated firmly.

Deve Gowda lamented the historical mismanagement of Waqf properties, highlighting the violation of the fundamental principle: “Once a Waqf, always a Waqf.”

According to him, properties donated in the name of Allah had often been misused by powerful intermediaries, particularly in states like Karnataka.

“Surveys after surveys, incidents after incidents have told us this in the past decades,” he noted.

The former Prime Minister praised the bill for introducing transparency and ensuring that Waqf properties serve their intended purpose of benefiting the community.

“The donor of the properties is regulated and protected, and the poor Muslim is protected because Waqf properties are basically meant to serve the community and the poor in the community,” he said.

Addressing concerns that the bill aimed to control religious practices, Deve Gowda clarified that it focused exclusively on revenue management and coordination with local authorities.

“This bill ensures better coordination with local revenue authorities,” he stated, adding that individuals previously involved in Waqf management had made exaggerated claims about property ownership.

Highlighting the necessity of judicial oversight, he remarked, “This bill creates judicial oversight, which was very necessary.”

Deve Gowda also referred to the Sachar Committee report of 2006, which recommended improved management of Waqf properties. He noted that the bill incorporated many of these recommendations.

“When such is the case, why should the opposition have any problem? They should welcome it. They should stand by the poor Muslim and support this bill,” he urged.

Concluding his address, Deve Gowda left no ambiguity about his position. “I support this bill,” he declared emphatically.