In response to increasing criticism of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill by key Muslim organizations, the BJP’s Minority Morcha has decided to gather feedback from the Muslim community on the proposed reforms to Waqf boards, Press Trust of India reported.
The party aims to address concerns and present a balanced view to the parliamentary committee currently reviewing the Bill.
A group of seven BJP members, including state Waqf Board chairpersons, will be reaching out to the minority community nationwide. Their goal is to collect suggestions and ease worries regarding various issues tied to the Bill.
A senior BJP leader emphasized that while concerns will be communicated, there is widespread recognition within the community of the need for Waqf board reforms.
The findings from this outreach will be shared with both the BJP leadership and the parliamentary committee, which is chaired by veteran BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.
The committee’s members include leaders like Shadab Shams, Sanwar Patel, Mohsin Lokhandwala, and Zakir Hussain, who manage Waqf Boards in states like Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Haryana.
The BJP’s leadership has instructed the Minority Morcha, led by Jamal Siddiqui, to engage with Muslims across the country to advocate for Waqf Act reforms. This is aimed at improving the accountability and transparency of Waqf boards.
The Morcha has also been tasked with collecting community suggestions and ensuring that their concerns are adequately addressed.
Prominent Muslim organizations, including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, have been actively opposing the proposed Bill, arguing that it infringes on religious practices and violates the Constitution.
However, BJP leaders have indicated that the government has been working on this Bill since its second term and has already consulted a variety of stakeholders.