In an exclusive interview with Megha Sharma, Executive Editor, NewsX, BJP MP and former Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Smriti Irani, shared her insights on the central government’s recent introduction of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. This significant piece of legislation, aimed at amending the 1995 Waqf Act, promises to enhance the accountability and transparency of Waqf boards while ensuring the mandatory inclusion of women—a move Irani believes is a landmark step for inclusivity within the Muslim community.
#TheWaqfBill | In an exclusive conversation with NewsX, former Union Minister Smriti Irani (@smritiirani) shares her opinion on the #WaqfReform and how it will impact the Muslim community, particularly the women.
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A Bill Rooted in Reform and Inclusivity
Smriti Irani opened the discussion by emphasizing the broad scope of the Waqf Amendment Bill, which includes around 40 amendments designed to overhaul the existing framework. “I think that to look at the Waqf board only from the perspective of property would be a bit myopic,” she stated, underscoring the necessity of viewing the bill as a comprehensive reform effort that goes beyond mere land regulation.
Irani pointed out that some Waqf boards have overstepped their boundaries, delving into judicial and legal territories that fall outside their intended functions. “There have been Waqf boards that have been known to transgress into judicial and legal territories, which actually are not their functions. I can give you the example of the Telangana Waqf board, which is handling divorces and marriages,” she explained. She went on to highlight how these transgressions have affected the lives of women within the community, particularly in cases where men have annulled marriages to circumvent the triple talaq ban, leaving women in vulnerable positions.
Addressing Historical Wrongs and Protecting Community Rights
Irani did not shy away from addressing the controversial actions of some Waqf boards in recent history, including the Andhra Pradesh Waqf board’s decision to declare Ahmadis as non-Muslims—a move that she asserts was beyond the board’s jurisdiction. “That is not the function of the board—to declare whether someone is Muslim or non-Muslim,” she remarked, stressing that the new amendments would prevent such overreaches and ensure that Waqf boards adhere strictly to their intended roles.
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One of the bill’s pivotal aspects is its focus on protecting the rights of the Muslim community, particularly its most vulnerable members. Irani brought attention to media reports detailing how properties belonging to poor Muslims have been usurped by mutawallis (managers of the estate) who sold them for cash, often in collusion with certain board members. “The government today has proposed measures to ensure that there is more efficacy in the functionality of the board and more transparency in how the board serves the cause of the Muslim community,” she said.
Empowering Women and Ensuring Justice
The bill’s provisions for the inclusion of women in Waqf boards and the protection of their inheritance rights represent a significant step forward. Irani noted that these reforms are part of a broader agenda to empower Muslim women, echoing the strides made during her tenure as Union Minister for Minority Affairs, where record numbers of women undertook the Hajj. “Women will now have a respectful designation and a place for themselves on the board. Additionally, the Waqf earnings can now be used for Muslim widows and divorced women,” she stated, highlighting the bill’s potential to transform the lives of many within the community.
Irani also pointed out that the proposed amendments would give Muslims legal recourse to appeal decisions made by Waqf boards or tribunals, a right that was previously unavailable. “Muslims who previously did not have the legal recourse to appeal against the decision of a tribunal or a Waqf board now have that option under the new bill,” she explained, adding that this represents a significant advancement in ensuring justice for all members of the community.
Engagement and Consultation: The Backbone of the Bill
When questioned about the opposition’s criticism regarding the lack of consultation, Irani firmly dismissed these claims. She detailed the extensive consultations undertaken with state governments, Waqf boards, and various community groups, including both Shia and Sunni communities, to address the challenges faced by the Waqf system. “It is the opposition’s prerogative to express their concerns, but I can confirm that requests for consultations on the Waqf issues were sent to every state government and Waqf board,” she asserted, emphasizing the government’s commitment to a thorough and inclusive process.
Irani also highlighted the government’s decision to establish a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to further refine the bill, a move she sees as indicative of the government’s collaborative approach. “The government’s decision to constitute the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) indicates a continued spirit of cooperation and collaboration, aiming to ensure that every member of the opposition has a voice in the passage of this bill,” she said.
Aligning Reforms with Faith and Constitutional Values
Smriti Irani praised the bill’s alignment with both Islamic faith and constitutional values, pointing to reforms introduced under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, such as allowing women to undertake the Hajj without a male companion. “These amendments proposed by the government align with both Islamic faith and the Constitution, marking a significant moment of progress,” she remarked.
Irani also addressed the bill’s provisions regarding the establishment and registration of Waqf properties, stressing that the government has taken steps to close loopholes that previously allowed for potential land usurpation. “The bill addresses those gaps and challenges faced by the Muslim community,” she stated, commending the removal of provisions that allowed non-Muslims to create a Waqf, a practice she noted is disallowed by Islamic faith.
A Broader Commitment to Empowerment
Beyond the Waqf Amendment Bill, Irani spoke of the government’s broader efforts to empower the Muslim community, citing programs such as the G Naas employment training program and the NAAA scheme for skilling. She expressed disappointment with the opposition’s continued attacks on the government, suggesting that their opposition to the bill is motivated more by political rivalry than genuine concern for the Muslim community. “I also believe that the opposition has opposed the bill today only for the sake of opposition,” she concluded.
As the interview drew to a close, Irani’s remarks left no doubt about the BJP’s commitment to the reforms outlined in the Waqf Amendment Bill. Her defense of the bill was not just a defense of the BJP’s legislative agenda but a broader call for the empowerment and inclusion of all members of the Muslim community, particularly its women.
