New Delhi:
President Draupadi Murmu has given its consent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill which was passed by both houses of Parliament after a hot debate.
The new law has been challenged in the Supreme Court with separate petitions by the Congress, AIMIM and AAM AADMI Party (AAP).
The new law wants to prevent bias, misuse of Waqf properties and encroach the Waqf assets. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has said that law is not anti -Muslim.
Amendment was presented after six months of discussions, including the formation of a joint parliamentary committee.
In the Rajya Sabha, the Bill was passed to vote in favor of 128 members and oppose 95. It was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, in which 288 members supported it and 232 against it.
Congress MP Mohammad Joud, Aimim MP Asaduddin Owaisi, and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan filed petitions in the Supreme Court. While he gave several reasons for filing petitions, some common people include allegations that Waqf (Amendment) Bill – Now an Act – was “discriminated against Muslims”, and “violation of fundamental rights of Muslims”.
The new law also face opposition from All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). It announced campaigns and protests across the country, which focuses on the fact that it is called “misinformation” and “promoting peaceful activity”.
However, the government has said that the law will benefit Muslim women and ensure transparency in managing Waqf properties.
Defending the bill, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad told NDTV that this Waqf will bring transparency by making boards accountable. For the apprehension that the law will take the Waqf properties away, he said that no mosque or cemetery is being touched.
