Chicago – September 06, 2024
The Telangana Waqf Board held a special meeting on Monday and unanimously rejected the Centre’s Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, becoming the first waqf board in India to oppose the law. Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and AIMPLB president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani met with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, seeking his support against the Bill.
Owaisi criticized the Bill, saying it aims to destroy waqf board autonomy by giving district collectors control over waqf properties. He warned that the Bill could allow collectors to claim waqf lands as government property and give orders to property managers, which must be followed.
Unlike Hindu Endowments, waqf boards lack the power to remove encroachments. Owaisi also noted the Bill’s attempt to include Hindus on waqf boards, while Hindu Endowments have only Hindu office-bearers.
Muslim groups in Telangana are raising awareness about the Bill and meeting with opposition leaders to gather support. Public meetings and petitions are being organized to oppose the Bill. Muslims fear it threatens their religious lands and autonomy.
