58,000 waqf properties seized in country
In a written reply to a question from PPP member Basavaraj Bommai in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that the ministry and the country’s Central Waqf Board (Central Waqf) CWC) from time to time receives complaints regarding many issues related to Waqf Properties. Currently, 58,929 Waqf Board properties in the country have been encroached upon, of which 869 properties are in Karnataka.
Kiren Rijiju said the ministry and the Central Waqf Commission (CWC) received complaints from time to time regarding various issues related to waqf properties. He said the information has been sent to the state waqf committee and the concerned government for appropriate action.
Waqf property cannot be bought or sold.
The minister said that under Sections 54 and 55 of the Waqf Act, the chief executive officer of the state waqf board has the power to take legal action against unauthorized occupation and misappropriation of waqf properties. According to regulations, the properties of waqfs cannot be bought or sold under any circumstances. Waqf property cannot be transferred either.
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Modi government is making changes
The Modi government has introduced two bills to bring in the third amendment to the waqf law. The Waqf Act 1954 has been repealed and a new bill has been brought in its place and the Waqf Act 1995 is also being revised. The Modi government is preparing to pass this waqf amendment bill to limit the unlimited powers given to the waqf board. After the amendment, the committee will have to verify any land before declaring it as waqf property.
What does Waqf mean?
Waqf refers to land in the name of God, that is, not in the name of any person or institution, but land belonging to the Muslim community, that is, land of waqf. This includes mosques, madrassas, cemeteries, Idgahs, tombs and exhibition grounds, etc. After a while, it was discovered that these lands were being misused and even sold. Waqf boards were established to control the lands of Muslim communities. The Waqf Board was established to stop the use of waqf land and to protect the land from being sold through illegal means.
Waqf was given additional powers in 1995
The Waqf Law was passed in 1954. It has since been revised several times. Following the 1995 amendment to the Waqf Law, the Waqf Board was given additional powers. Accordingly, if the waqf claims ownership of any property, the property will be deemed to be its property. If the claim is false, the owner must prove it.
