Nitish Government’s Major Decision on Waqf Board Land in Bihar, Increasing Tension for NDA!

The Nitish government has made a significant decision regarding the land owned by the Waqf Board in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s government has announced the construction of 21 new madrasas on Waqf land. JDU’s senior leader and Bihar’s Minister of Minority Welfare, Zama Khan, stated that those who engage in politics within the minority community are merely playing vote bank politics. 

He emphasized that under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, all communities have witnessed development, and this progress will continue. The new madrasas will offer quality education facilities, and teachers will be appointed once again.

JDU Supports Central Government on Waqf Bill

Recently, JDU leader and Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) extended support to the central government on the Waqf Bill, dismissing all opposition concerns. He stated that after listening to many honorable members, it seems that the amendments made to the Waqf Board Act are being portrayed as anti-Muslim. 

He questioned, “How is it anti-Muslim? Who is labeling it as anti-Muslim?” Singh further argued that examples are being cited about the Ayodhya temple and Gurdwara. He pointed out that if one cannot distinguish between a temple and an institution, what logic are they providing? He assured that this is not a temple, and there is no attempt to interfere with your mosque.

TDP Also Extends Support

Supporting the bill, GM Harish of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), an ally of the NDA, stated that TDP supports the Waqf Amendment Bill. 

He emphasized that it is the government’s responsibility to bring in amendments and streamline the objectives. He added, “We support the bill and have no issue with it being sent to the Select Committee.”

What Provisions Does the New Bill Include?

Comparing the provisions of the current law with those of the new bill, previously, if the Waqf Board laid claim to any land, the landowner could only seek justice through the Waqf Tribunal. However, under the new bill, the landowner now has the right to appeal not only in the Tribunal but also in Revenue Court, Civil Court, and the High Court. 

Until now, in disputes between the Waqf Board and others, the decision of the Waqf Tribunal was considered final. However, the new bill allows the right to appeal against the Tribunal’s decision in the High Court.

Rights Discussed in the Bill

Previously, if a property was an old mosque or was being used for Islamic purposes, it was automatically considered Waqf property. The new bill stipulates that a property will only be considered Waqf if an individual donates their land or property explicitly for that purpose, even if a mosque has been built on it. 

A key aspect of the new bill is that, unlike before, when women and people of other religions were barred from entering the Waqf Board, the new provisions mandate that the Waqf Board must include two women and two people from other religions.

Waqf Board Holds the Most Land After Railways and Military

In India, the Waqf Board owns the most land after the Railways and the military. It is said that the income generated from this vast land and billions in Waqf assets should ideally be spent on educational institutions, cemeteries, mosques, and charitable organizations, including orphanages. 

However, there have been allegations that land mafias, politicians, and property developers exploit Waqf properties, leaving ordinary and poor Muslims with no benefit. The Waqf Board is already endowed with vast powers under the guise of political appeasement, powers that are not seen even in other Muslim-majority countries. This is why the government asserts that the amendments to the Waqf Act are being introduced in the interest of the public.