New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament, Harnath Singh Yadav, has introduced a private member bill in the Rajya Sabha seeking the repeal of the Waqf Act, 1995. The introduction of the bill comes amid strong protests from opposition parties.
The bill received approval for introduction after 53 members, primarily from the BJP, voted in favor, while 32 opposed the move. This decision sets the stage for the bill to be taken up for discussion in the upcoming sessions.
The literal meaning of Waqf is “to retain,” i.e., to transfer the ownership of the dedicated property away from the surrenderee and to Almighty God. Waqf Board is the institution that maintains the property donated in the name of Allah. For example, when followers of Islam donate any of their movable or immovable property as Zakat, then that property is called ‘Waqf’. After Zakat is paid, no one has ownership rights on this property.
Opposition parties opposed the bill, but the chairman sought division of votes. The treasury benches supported the bill, while Congress, RJD, AITC, and NCP opposed it.
The Waqf Act, of 1995, currently governs matters related to Waqf properties, which are charitable endowments for the benefit of the Muslim community. The move to repeal the Act has sparked debates and discussions across party lines.
The upcoming discussion on the bill is expected to delve into the reasons behind the proposed repeal and its potential implications. The introduction of such legislation often leads to robust deliberations in the parliamentary sessions.
It will be interesting to see the perspectives presented by various members and the outcome of the debates surrounding the repeal of the Waqf Act, of 1995. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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