Mirwaiz-led Kashmir Ulema body presents memorandum to JPC on proposed Waqf Bill

Srinagar: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led delegation of Mutahhida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) on Friday presented a memorandum to the Joint Parliamentary Committee chairman in New Delhi, in which the Ulema body expressed their “grave concern” over the proposed amendments in the Bill.

“We believe that these amendments are completely against the interests of the Muslim community and also violate the universally accepted fundamental rights of communities,” said the MMU, in the memorandum, presented to Jagdambika Pal, JPC Chairman.

The MMU said that the Waqf properties are “personal properties dedicated by Muslims in the name of God for the benefit of their society and to help the underprivileged.”

It said such religious/social institutions warrant least interference from the state. “But the Govt proposed amendments represent a significant threat to the autonomy and functioning of this institution,” said the MMU.

Another major concern, they said, is the reduction of Muslim representation and increase in the number of Non-Muslim representation up to 13 in central Waqf council and 7 in State Waqf Boards and the arbitrary mandate given to them. “Earlier, all members except one were Muslim and they were Elected,” said the MMU.

“Furthermore, the proposed amendments will give the government the power to remove Waqf properties from the list of protected properties. This will allow the government to seize or sell valuable Waqf properties, leaving the Muslim community with fewer resources to support its religious and charitable activities,” said the MMU.

“Besides, the proposed amendments are a violation of the Muslim Personal Law, which is protected under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution.”

The MMU said the Muslim majority region of Jammu and Kashmir feels very strongly about these amendments to the Waqf Act, seeing it as another attempt at undermining our religious freedom and the autonomy of our institutions.

“So we urge you to reconsider and reject these proposed amendments and rather engage in meaningful talks with the Muslim community to address these apprehensions and concerns and take suggestions from them regarding what kind of changes they would like to see, if any at all, to make the Waqf Act more effective for their benefit and not superimpose these discriminatory changes upon them.”