Waqf Amendment Bill Paves New Path for Muslim Development: Danish Ansari
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Synopsis
Uttar Pradesh's Minority Affairs Minister, Danish Ansari, stated that the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, will significantly enhance Muslim development by ensuring proper management of Waqf properties and representation of Pasmanda Muslims.
Key Takeaways
- The Waqf Amendment Bill aims to benefit the Muslim community.
- It will ensure better management and auditing of Waqf properties.
- Pasmanda Muslims will gain representation on the Waqf Board.
- Annual revenue from Waqf properties is currently significantly low.
- The amendment is seen as essential for Muslim welfare.
Lucknow, April 3 (NationPress) The Minister for Minority Affairs in Uttar Pradesh, Danish Ansari, expressed on Thursday that the approval of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, will create fresh opportunities for the advancement of Muslims.
In an interview with IANS, he highlighted the beneficial transformations the Bill will bring to the lives of Muslims, who celebrated its approval in the Lok Sabha by sharing sweets.
He mentioned that if this Bill becomes law, it will enforce thorough audits of the Waqf Board, eliminate illegal encroachments, and ensure representation for Pasmanda Muslims on the board, thus benefitting the community.
"This legislation was essential at this moment and will prevent individuals from treating Waqf properties, which are deemed God's property, as their own and abusing them," the Minister stated.
In a strong rebuttal to opposition leaders, including Akbaruddin Owaisi, the chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), who termed the day of the Waqf Amendment Bill's passage in the Lok Sabha as a 'Black Day' and unconstitutional, Ansari remarked that these individuals cannot acknowledge the progress of Pasmanda Muslims.
Pointing out the "mismanagement" of Waqf properties, he revealed: "All Waqf properties across the nation are valued at ₹1.25 lakh crore, which could yield an annual revenue of over ₹1,250 crore. However, we are currently seeing a mere ₹150 crore in revenue. Approximately ₹1,100 crore is lining someone else's pockets."
"With the right revenue, we could establish more than 800 colleges annually for Muslim youth, 300 hospitals, and numerous skill development centers," he added.
Sharing statistics about Waqf properties in various districts of Uttar Pradesh, Ansari stated: "Each district in Uttar Pradesh houses thousands of Waqf properties, including Bijnor (4697), Balrampur (4,248), Moradabad (3295), Lucknow (3072), Muzaffarnagar (3606), Aligarh (1400), and Kasganj (575)."
Ansari encouraged local Muslims to check how many of these sites have been converted into charitable properties.
Praising the amendment, he remarked: "It was essential for a Viksit Bharat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognized this and dedicated it to the welfare of Muslims. The Modi government is acting in accordance with Allah's will, but a segment of people is attempting to mislead Muslims."
