Muslim Law Board Chief Calls Halting Waqf Bill a ‘Life or Death’ Matter; Pledges Resistance if Bill Passes

• AIMPLB President Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rehmani declares opposition to the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, vowing resistance “at all costs.”
• The bill, which aims to reform Waqf board management and representation, has sparked significant backlash from AIMPLB and political opposition.
• Recent confrontations in the parliamentary committee highlight tensions over the bill, including a physical altercation between TMC and BJP MPs.

Waqf Bill: A Critical Standoff for AIMPLB

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) is strongly opposing the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it a critical issue for Muslims across India. AIMPLB president Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rehmani described the situation as a “matter of life and death,” stressing that the board would resist the bill, even if it meant civil disobedience or making personal sacrifices. During an address in Kanpur, Saifullah asserted that, if passed, the bill would allow the government to seize control of Waqf properties, which are traditionally managed by the Muslim community. He further emphasized that if necessary, Muslims would “fill jails,” in protest.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, introduced by the central government on July 28, has been sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) due to objections from various political parties. The bill proposes:

1. Limiting Waqf board authority to declare property as Waqf land.
2. Incorporating non-Muslim and Muslim women representation in Waqf councils at both the state and central levels.

Saifullah argued that placing Waqf land under non-Muslim management could risk the properties’ preservation and religious relevance. He cited examples of substantial landholdings of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, questioning why similar Waqf assets could not be managed solely by Muslim boards. The AIMPLB also alleges that the central government is pressuring certain Waqf board members to refrain from defending Waqf properties in court.

Political and Regional Reactions to the Bill

The controversy has spurred reactions from regional leaders. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren recently met AIMPLB representatives, expressing that he would oppose the bill in Parliament. AIMPLB representatives emphasized that the proposed bill challenges democratic and federal principles and could potentially harm India’s pluralistic social fabric.

The contentious nature of the bill sparked discord within the parliamentary committee, where TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee engaged in a heated argument with BJP’s Abhijit Gangopadhyay. The altercation escalated when Banerjee reportedly smashed a glass water bottle in frustration, injuring himself in the process, leading to his one-day suspension by the committee.

As discussions continue, the AIMPLB remains resolute in its stance, arguing that the bill’s implementation could erode Waqf boards’ autonomy and threaten the protection of Waqf properties across India.