BJP MP and Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, Jagadambika Pal, strongly criticized the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for organizing a protest against the bill. He accused AIMPLB of attempting to create divisions in society and challenging Parliament’s authority to pass laws.
Pal emphasized that the committee had already considered AIMPLB’s concerns before finalizing its report. Speaking to ANI, he stated, “The Joint Parliamentary Committee and Waqf had called AIMPLB before the committee after this amendment. We took cognizance of the things highlighted by AIMPLB before the committee. Not only that, we also made it a part of our report…so why are they going to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi? After the amendment, a better law is going to be formed…poor, women, widows, and children will also benefit from Waqf…”
He further accused AIMPLB of misleading the public and spreading confusion about the bill’s impact. “If they are going to hold a protest against this Waqf (amendment), somewhere they are trying to create hatred among people of the country and challenge the Parliament’s right to form a law…they are trying to confuse people and create differences…this step taken by them is not democratic,” he added.
AIMPLB Plans Protest, Accuses Government of Creating Divisions
AIMPLB has announced a protest on March 17 at Jantar Mantar in Delhi against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. Spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas accused the government of trying to create divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
“There have been continuous protests happening in various places, and press conferences are being held. We were supposed to hold a protest on March 13, but that day is Holi. On that day, the MPs will not be able to attend. Therefore, now we will hold a massive protest at Jantar Mantar on 17th March 2025,” he explained.
Ilyas also revealed that AIMPLB had invited people from different communities, including MPs, to join the protest. He criticized the BJP, stating, “The BJP always spreads hatred, but at least we expect that their allied parties will not support the BJP in this decision.”
Rejecting the government’s claim that Waqf properties receive special protection, Ilyas explained that the “Waqf by user” clause applies to mosques, dargahs, and burial grounds that may not be officially registered but are traditionally recognized as Waqf properties. “To say that Waqf has special protection is wrong. The clause on ‘Waqf by user’ in this bill pertains to properties like mosques, dargahs, and burial grounds, which are not registered but are being used by Waqf as Waqf properties. Due to this, all unregistered properties will go,” he clarified.
AIMPLB General Secretary Condemns the Amendment
AIMPLB General Secretary Fazlur Rahim Mujaddidi claimed that the board had exhausted all democratic means to engage with the government, but officials ignored their concerns. “Now, we have no option but to go on a protest. The government wants to impose this amendment on us at any cost. We do not want the situation to worsen, but you (the government) want conflicts in every street and neighborhood, especially over mosques and cemeteries. We want to see a developed India, but in these circumstances, our dream cannot come true. This amendment is against the country. The government has misled our innocent Hindu brothers as well,” he asserted.
He stressed that Muslims support national development, but the current conditions make it difficult. “We want to tell the government clearly to change its attitude. We are firm on our protest,” he declared.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024: Background and Reforms
The JPC submitted its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in Parliament on February 13 despite opposition. The original Waqf Act of 1995 aimed to regulate Waqf properties but faced criticism for mismanagement, corruption, and illegal encroachments.
To address these concerns, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 introduces reforms such as digitization, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. However, AIMPLB and other critics argue that the amendment unfairly targets unregistered Waqf properties, potentially leading to their loss.
