Meeting with the JPC chief, Muslim religious leaders endorsed the Waqf Bill, giving a suggestion on the use of properties

The draft law was supported by a group of educationists and Muslim religious leaders in the meeting of the Joint Committee of Parliament considering the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Thursday. Some people who attended the meeting suggested that the properties under Waqf should also be used to open educational and health facilities.

Former chairman of Rajasthan Waqf Board, Syed Abubakar Naqvi, former Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Bhasha Vishwavidyalaya (Lucknow) vice-chancellor Mahrukh Mirza and Majlis-e-Ulema-e-Hind's Maulana Raza Hussain, who attended the meeting, favored the bill. They presented their views before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) headed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal.

Sources said Naqvi described the bill as progressive and said that it would promote the development of the country and the existing Waqf law is full of shortcomings. He said that the proposed law has good provisions for poor children and widows. Raza Hussain said that the bill is a good step to curb corruption. He said that if the new law promotes the progress of the community and the country, it is welcome.

However, he stressed that the government should ensure that the Waqf properties are used for the purpose for which they are created. Sources said some opposition MPs questioned the statements made by those who appeared before the committee in support of the bill. The government had introduced a bill related to amendment in the law governing the Wakf Board in the Lok Sabha on August 8, which was decided to be sent to the joint committee after a heated exchange and discussion between the ruling and opposition parties.