In an exclusive interview with Megha Sharma, Executive Editor, NewsX, BJP National Spokesperson Shazia Ilmi sheds light on the Waqf Amendment Bill, a legislative move that has sparked discussions nationwide. The Bill, which the government positions as a means to enhance transparency and equity in the management of Waqf properties, has raised critical questions about its impact on the Muslim community, especially the marginalized segments.
#TheWaqfBill | In an exclusive conversation with NewsX, BJP National Spokesperson, Shazia Ilmi (@shaziailmi) discussed the Waqf Bill, stating, “I think it’s very important for women to be represented, and the unfortunate part is that for all these years, we’ve seen how rich the… pic.twitter.com/4seYrEcOKp
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A Victory for Muslim Women and the Underprivileged
When asked about the significance of the Bill for Muslim women and the less privileged sections of the community, Shazia Ilmi was clear in her response. She emphasized the importance of representation and the transformative potential of the Bill. “I think it’s very important for women to be there, and the unfortunate part is that all these years we have seen just how rich the Waqf properties are. Imagine having properties worth 9.54 lakh acres. Imagine you have more than one and a half lakh acres, which is part of the Waqf property, but when you look at Muslims as a religious group, you find them as the poorest, most economically, socially and educationally backward,” she stated. The disparity between the wealth of Waqf properties and the dire conditions of many in the Muslim community is, according to Ilmi, a clear indication of mismanagement.
Ilmi further elaborated on the necessity of the amendment, not just for women, but for the marginalized Muslims who have no recourse to the resources that should have been available to them. “Just imagine if these Waqf boards were doing their work as is the goal, which is the well-being of the poor. How different things would have been for the same community,” she reflected, underscoring the missed opportunities for upliftment that the Waqf properties could have provided.
Addressing Mismanagement and Arbitrary Powers
One of the critical issues Ilmi pointed out was the mismanagement and arbitrary powers granted under the previous Waqf Act of 1995. She argued that these powers were introduced by the Congress government as a political tool to win back Muslim support after the Babri Masjid demolition. “It is very unfortunate that there has been not just complete mismanagement but arbitrary powers have been given according to the act of 1995 by the Congress government only to kind of attract them after the Babri Masjid demolition fiasco. They wanted to attract Muslims back in the track, so they just gave unlimited powers,” Ilmi noted. She questioned the fairness and logic of allowing Waqf boards to claim any property based on vague historical or religious claims, often to the detriment of the rightful owners.
Shazia Ilmi also highlighted the absurdity of some claims made under the Waqf Act. “Can you imagine? I can’t just take over your land. I can’t just say that my grandfather prayed there, so your land is mine. You have to decide. There is also a statute of limitation. How many years back do you want to go?” she asked rhetorically. She pointed out that the process of claiming property as Waqf must be subject to verification and legal scrutiny to prevent abuse.
Streamlining Verification and Dispute Resolution
The Waqf Amendment Bill, according to Ilmi, aims to address these very issues by streamlining the verification process and ensuring proper dispute resolution mechanisms. “How do you do verification? We can both be locked in a battle as to which land is mine and that land is yours. But tell me, there has to be verification. So a revenue officer, whose duty it is to ensure that there is verification and the land deed and title are checked and verified, only then can it be registered,” Ilmi explained. She emphasized that it is crucial for Waqf land to be subjected to the same verification processes as any other land to prevent wrongful claims and ensure justice.
Ilmi was particularly critical of the 1995 Act’s provision that made tribunal decisions final, with no further recourse available to the affected parties. “How can any law be more important than the Supreme Court and the Constitution of India?” she asked, expressing her disbelief at a system that left no room for appeals. She highlighted that in many Muslim-majority countries, there is no equivalent body like the Waqf in India that controls such vast properties without sufficient checks and balances.
A Call for Accountability
Shazia Ilmi made a strong case for accountability in the management of Waqf properties. She pointed out that the very purpose of Waqf—charitable giving and support for the needy—has been undermined by corruption and the concentration of power in the hands of a few. “It is just the worst kind of means for corruption and to keep a few families in power and to leave the rest of the community in a state of despair,” she remarked. According to her, the current system has failed to serve the poor Muslims it was meant to help and has instead become a tool for exploitation.
In discussing specific cases like the claim over the Tendu Rai village in Tamil Nadu, Ilmi questioned the validity of historical claims that stretch back centuries without clear evidence. “The village that you’re talking about in Tamil Nadu, that particular district, has a temple which is 1500 years old, and a poor family member wanted to sell his land for his daughter’s marriage or needed money, and he was told that the entire village, including the temple and all the houses in that village, are under Waqf property,” she recounted. Ilmi emphasized that such situations call for rigorous scrutiny and clear legal guidelines to prevent injustice.
In conclusion, Shazia Ilmi’s insights into the Waqf Amendment Bill reflect the BJP’s stance on the need for reform and transparency in the management of Waqf properties.
