Kerala Minister Voices Strong Objections to Waqf Amendment Bill

Kerala Minister for Waqf and Haj Pilgrimage, V Abdurahiman, has expressed significant concerns regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill during a meeting with JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal in Chennai. The Minister's objections are shared by the Kerala Waqf Board, which seeks a special JPC sitting in Kerala. The Bill faces strong opposition, especially from Muslim communities.

Kerala Minister for Waqf and Haj Pilgrimage V Abdurahiman has raised significant objections regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill during a meeting with Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairman Jagdambika Pal in Chennai.

Kerala Waqf Board Chairman M K Sakeer was also present at the meeting, where the minister reiterated his concerns already presented to Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

According to an official release, Kerala has approximately 12,000 registered Waqf properties, with an equal number unregistered. 'Given this situation, the minister requested a special sitting of the JPC in Kerala to gather feedback from diverse state sections on the Waqf amendments. The JPC chairman indicated this request would be considered,' the release noted. The minister insists that amendments contradicting Waqf's fundamental principles should be withdrawn.

On August 10, a detailed workshop in Kerala scrutinized the Waqf amendments, concluding that the central government should withdraw them. The workshop's findings, highlighting potential adverse impacts on Waqf institutions, were submitted to the JPC. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, introduced by Rijiju in the Lok Sabha on August 8, has sparked significant opposition, particularly from parties accusing it of targeting the Muslim community.