Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju considers Rajya Sabha’s WAQF (Amendment) bill during the parliamentary budget meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Image source: ANI
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday (4 April 2025) rejected the opposition’s allegations aimed at seizing Muslims’ land or their rights. He proposed the bill in Rajya Sabha, who tried to ease fears that non-Muslims would become the decision-making power of the Central WAQF Commission and believed that long-term use of property without deed documents would be threatened.
Mr Rijiju also tried to clear the air when non-Muslims were added to the Central WAQF Committee and stressed that Muslims would retain a majority in the Council and that the fear around them was unfounded. He also clarified that the proposed legislation has nothing to do with religion and can only deal with property. The minister also informed the House that there were 490,000 WAQF properties in 2004, which has now increased to 872,000. He said that according to available data, WAQF properties are the largest in the country, in addition to defense and railways. “There are people here saying that Muslims will be hurt by the steps we have taken. Many people say that this is unconstitutional, illegal, and the rights of Muslims are being taken away… Very clearly, I want to reject all these allegations.”
He also stressed that the amendment was introduced in the bill after parliamentary review by the Joint Committee of Parliament, which indicated that the bill should not be implemented retroactively.
He further stated that of the 22 members of the Central WAQF Committee, no more than 4 non-Muslims, including former members, except for three members of parliament who may have any religion. He added that the council must include two female members.
He reiterated that the majority of non-Muslims have not arisen.
publishing – April 4, 2025 01:34 AM IST
