Ajmer Dargah chief backs Waqf Amendment Bill: 'Waqf hampered by inefficiencies'

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to revise the Waqf Act, 1995, for greater accountability

After Kerala Catholic body, Ajmer Dargah chief Haji Syed Salman Chishty came out in support of the Waqf Amendment Bill.

"In the social and diverse fabric of India’s religious and socio-economic landscape, the Waqf stands as one of the most significant, yet underutilised, institutions. This statutory entity, steeped in Islamic spiritual tradition, holds the potential to transform the socio-economic conditions of the Muslim community. However, despite its profound heritage and substantial landholdings, the Waqf has been hampered by inefficiencies, mismanagement, and a lack of transparency," Chishty wrote in an opinion piece in The Hindu.

Chishty also said that the Bill seeks to address some of the “long-standing issues that are plaguing the Waqf. He also said that the proposed Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Bill, also called the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address some of the long-standing issues that are plaguing the Waqf.

"These reforms are crucial, as they acknowledge the widespread consensus within the Muslim community regarding the misuse of Waqf properties by mutawallis (custodians), some members with zero credibility, and the inefficiencies that have prevented Waqf boards from maximising the value of these assets," he wrote.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also agreed to Chisty saying the "Bill seeks to address some of the “long-standing issues that are plaguing the Waqf".

“By embracing reform and demanding accountability, we can ensure that the Waqf serves its intended purpose of benefiting the Muslim community and contributing to the broader society. Read this insightful article by Haji Syed Salman Chishty," Rijiju posted on X.

The Ajmer Dargah chief also cited the Sachar Committee Report, 2006, to back his argument, stating that the report estimated the generation of an annual income of Rs 12,000 crore from Waqf properties.

“However, surveys by the Ministry of Minority Affairs reveal that the actual number of Waqf properties exceeds 8.72 lakh. Today, factoring in inflation and revised estimates, the potential income could be as high as Rs 20,000 crore annually. Yet, the actual revenue generated remains a paltry Rs 200 crore," he wrote.

Earlier, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) urged the Members of Parliament from the state to support amendments to the Waqf Act, calling certain provisions “unconstitutional and unjust.”

“There should be a solution to the Munambam issue. The Farook College management, which sold the land to the residents of Munambam, has asserted that the land in question was received as a gift. MPs should cooperate to amend the Waqf bill which has provisions to raise claims against this,” a KCBC release said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rashid Ali said many Muslims are opposing the bill.  "Millions of Muslims are protesting. all Muslim MPs, opposition parties are together to oppose this bill," Alvi told News18.