Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has presented a comprehensive 63-page representation before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) regarding the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024.
The submission, led by JIH vice-president Malik Moatasim Khan, stands out not only for its depth of research but also for its inclusion of diverse representatives, including women and backward-class Muslims. This move directly counters claims in the Bill that women and "pasmanda" (backwards) Muslims are inadequately represented in state waqf boards.
The delegation, which hailed from various regions, sought to make a case for the equal representation of men and women, as well as different social strata, in waqf boards, in alignment with the values of Islam that do not discriminate based on gender or social background. The JIH argues that for waqf boards to genuinely represent the Muslim community, they must include diverse voices from all groups.
JIH's detailed submission was praised by sources within the JPC, with members noting it as the most well-researched presentation so far on the Bill. The Jamaat’s representation was appreciated across the political spectrum, including by BJP members, for its thorough documentation, evidence-based arguments, and clear articulation.
JIH has been steadfastly opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill, arguing that its provisions would lead to a government takeover of key waqf properties, such as mosques, graveyards, and khanqahs. One of the critical concerns raised is the Bill’s rejection of the ‘waqf by user’ provision in current waqf laws, which allows properties used for religious purposes to be recognized as waqf, despite a lack of formal ownership papers. This provision, JIH asserts, safeguards properties that have been under Muslim control for centuries.
Since the introduction of the Bill, JIH has intensified its efforts to oppose it, including through public meetings, media campaigns, and legal interventions. On November 3, JIH held a "Tahaffuz-e-Auqaf" (Save the Waqfs) public meeting in Vijayawada, attended by over 10,000 people, where the party's leadership denounced the Bill as an infringement on Muslim religious affairs.
Similar protests were organized in Kolkata, with further meetings planned in Jaipur on November 10. JIH leaders have been vocal about the potential consequences of the Bill, warning that it could lead to the loss of waqf-controlled mosques across the country.
JIH’s activism has extended to training workshops for waqf activists across India, including sessions in Delhi and Bengaluru, aimed at equipping individuals with the knowledge to oppose the Bill effectively.
Along with other organizations such as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, JIH has garnered substantial public opposition, with an estimated 5 crore Muslims sending emails to the JPC urging the Bill's withdrawal.
In addition to these public and legal efforts, JIH has been fighting government attempts to take over waqf properties in various states. Their legal battles have successfully halted proposals to demolish significant mosques in Delhi, including the Sunehri Bagh Masjid and the Akhoondji Mosque, with the Delhi High Court instructing the Delhi Development Authority to provide alternate land for the construction of new mosques.
Through these coordinated efforts, JIH continues to play a leading role in mobilising opposition to the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, seeking to protect the interests of the Muslim community and its religious properties across India.