Smriti Irani Hails Historic Amendments to Wakf Act

BJP leader Smriti Irani praised proposed amendments to the Wakf Act, emphasizing their importance for Muslims, especially women and the poor. The changes aim to protect women's inheritance rights, ensure property ownership certification, and allow legal recourse against tribunal decisions.

BJP leader and former Union minority affairs minister Smriti Irani lauded the proposed amendments to the Wakf Act as historic on Thursday, stating that they address longstanding demands from Muslims, particularly women and the poor.

The amendments aim to safeguard women's rights to inherit property given to the Waqf and ensure justice, according to Irani. The changes also stipulate that such properties must be owned by Muslims with certification from the relevant revenue officer.

Irani highlighted the lack of protection for widows and divorced women in the existing law, noting that the amendments rectify this oversight. She also commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for enabling individuals to contest tribunal decisions in court, ensuring their rights are upheld.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was presented in the Lok Sabha and referred to a joint parliamentary committee after intense debate. The government emphasized that the amendments do not interfere with the functioning of mosques, while the opposition argued that the bill targets Muslims and breaches constitutional principles.

Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the amendment seeks to broaden the law to deliver justice to those previously denied it.