Qazis, Ulemas from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi oppose Waqf amendment bill

Dakshina Kannada Waqf Advisory Committee President alleged that the bill is an attack on the religious freedom of Muslims and the amendment aims to seize Waqf properties and remove community control over their management.

Mangaluru: Qazis and Ulemas of coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have opposed the Central government's Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill (Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024) and termed it as a conspiracy to snatch the powers of Muslims over Waqf properties.

In a press meet attended by Qazis Twaqa Ahmed Musliyar Ustad (Dakshina Kannada) and Zainul Ulema Mani Ustad (Udupi), Dakshina Kannada Waqf Advisory Committee President BA Abdul Nasir Lucky Star said that it violates fundamental constitutional rights and must be withdrawn immediately.

He alleged that the bill is an attack on the religious freedom of Muslims and the amendment aims to seize Waqf properties and remove community control over their management.

“The amendment bill proposes the appointment of non-Hindus in Waqf Boards and the removal of a condition that mandates the appointment of a Muslim officer in it. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has rejected the amendments suggested by the opposition. The JPC had received over 98 lakh requests, majority of them were opposing the new amendment,” he said.

He said most Waqf properties have been donated based on oral agreements. However, according to the new amendment, if a Waqf property does not have registered documents within six months, it will not be considered Waqf property. Until now, a specialised autonomous surveyor with expertise in Islamic law and Waqf affairs identified and surveyed Waqf properties. The new amendment transfers all these responsibilities to the Deputy Commissioner.

The bill will create an atmosphere of fear among the largest minority in the country and is also against the religious freedom granted under the Constitution. The Union Cabinet has approved the UMEED with a communal agenda to suppress the Muslims,” he said.

Explaining the importance of Waqf assets, religious leader Dr MSM Zaini Kamil emphasiSed that Waqf land is not government-owned but donated by wealthy individuals from the Muslim community for religious and welfare purposes. Such property can never be transferred to others. The nation has 8.7 lakh Waqf properties, measuring about 9.5 lakh acres of land valued approximately at Rs 1.25 lakh crore, which is the third largest asset after Indian Railways and Army, he said. “Instead of seizing Waqf properties due to a lack of documents, the government should regularise and protect them," he asserted

Karnataka Waqf Board former Chairman Shafi Saadi and leader UK Abdul Azeez Darimi said that nationwide protests are being organised against the bill. A resolution condemning the amendment has already been passed in Dakshina Kannada district, and similar protests will take place in Udupi, Kodagu, Hassan, and Chikkamagaluru. Qazis and Ulemas will chalk out plans to launch legal battle against the bill, they added.