Wed Apr 02 07:44:54 UTC 2025: **Muslim Groups Protest Controversial Waqf Amendment Bill**
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – April 2, 2025 – The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has strongly condemned the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, claiming it will harm the Muslim community. Despite voicing concerns to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), the AIMPLB’s objections were reportedly ignored, leading to protests in several cities, including Delhi and Patna. Protesters wore black armbands to demonstrate their opposition.
Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, a senior AIMPLB member, stated that the Bill is detrimental to Muslims, asserting that Waqf properties hold immense religious significance. The AIMPLB has urged parliamentarians to reject the amendments, considering the community’s sentiments.
However, some legal experts hold a different view. Lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain in Varanasi welcomed aspects of the Bill, citing a curtailment of unchecked powers previously held by Waqf boards. He noted, however, that the lack of a provision to reclaim non-government properties wrongly declared as Waqf properties remains a point of contention.
The Bill is scheduled for parliamentary debate today, but a bipartisan consensus remains elusive. The opposition bloc has criticized the bill, labeling it unconstitutional and detrimental to the Muslim community. The debate promises to be contentious, with no indication of a compromise emerging between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and opposition parties.
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