Asaduddin opposes move to curb Wakf Board’s control over properties

All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday said that the Centre wants to snatch the autonomy of the Wakf Board and interfere with the manner in which the Wakf property functions.
Owaisi reacted to the proposed bill which would curb the Wakf Board’s control on its property. “This government is against the freedom of religion, the BJP has alway been against the Wakf Board and the Wakf properties. There is an agenda of the RSS according to which the organisation has tried to finish the Wakf Board. Once a property is declared to be a part of the Wakf, it is irreversible according to the Wakf Act of 1954 and 1996 granting power to the Survey Commissioner, who is appointed by the State government. The list of Wakf is prepared based on the identification of properties by the Commissioner. The State government issues a gazette notification which is an official Act. In case the notification isn’t challenged for one year it becomes final and the property is under the Wakf. This is what the Centre is looking to change. It is impossible to prove that the properties which are already under the Wakf Board belong to it.”
He further said, “The proposed amendment aims to dilute the gazette’s conclusive nature. It will embolden the encroachers to stake claim on Wakf properties.The bill also touches upon amendment in establishment and composition of Wakf Board. As per the Act, every State must have a Wakf Board and the court will be responsible for administration and management of Wakf  properties. If there is an amendment it will cause administrative chaos and loss of autonomy. If the government control over the Wakf increases, it will affect the independence of the Wakf Board. As per media reports, the government aims to dilute the Wakf tribunals which will lead to ineffective enforcement.”