Muslim groups hold talks with MK Stalin, NDA allies ahead of JPC meeting on Thursday
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind (JUH) are ramping up their opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 with critical meetings ahead of the first Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 22. The bill, which has drawn significant controversy, is set to be reviewed by the JPC led by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal.
Representatives of the two premier Muslim organisations are slated to meet with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday to gain his support. Before the meeting, the groups have been actively engaging with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, including the Janata Dal-United (JDU) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP), to highlight the perceived risks associated with the proposed legislation.
Maulana Arshad Madani, JUH president, has been vocal in his criticism of the Waqf Amendment Bill, stating that the government’s intentions are questionable. He described the bill as a “conspiracy to deprive Muslims of their heritage,” arguing that it poses a significant threat to waqf properties, including mosques, tombs, and graveyards.
Madani has accused the government of attempting to interfere in religious affairs under the guise of legislative amendments. According to him, the bill would abolish the Waqf Tribunal and transfer its powers to district collectors, making waqf properties vulnerable to mismanagement and appropriation.
The Jamiat has been active at both the state and national levels, holding meetings with key political figures to build opposition to the bill. In Maharashtra, Jamiat representatives met with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena leaders, who are also members of the JPC, to discuss the bill’s implications.
These discussions have also extended to NDA allies such as the TDP, Lok Jan Shakti Party, and JD-U, with the Jamiat urging them to oppose the bill because it is “unconstitutional and unfair.” The Jamiat’s efforts are focused on educating these leaders about the religious significance of waqf properties and the potential dangers the bill poses.
The first meeting of the JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill is highly anticipated. This is the first time in the Narendra Modi government’s tenure that a JPC is to deliberate on a proposed law, underscoring the contentious nature of the bill.
The JPC, comprising 31 members of parliament (21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha), is tasked with submitting its report by the end of the first week of the next parliamentary session. During a recent meeting in Mumbai, Jagdambika Pal assured Muslim organisations that their concerns would be communicated to the entire committee.
As the JPC prepares for its first meeting, the opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill continues to grow. The outcome of these discussions, particularly the meeting with Stalin and the responses from NDA allies, will likely play a crucial role in shaping the bill’s future. The Muslim Personal Law Board and Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind remain steadfast in their efforts to prevent the bill from passing in its current form, citing the need to protect waqf properties and preserve religious heritage.
