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Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party over Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying that it is the party's continuous attempt to damage bonds of social harmony.
He added that it is BJP's strategy to "demonise" minority communities by "spreading false propaganda." "The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is part of BJP's strategy and continuing attempts to damage the centuries-old bonds of social harmony in our uniquely multi-religious society. Demonise minority communities by spreading false propaganda and creating prejudices, dilute Constitutional provisions that guarantee equal rights and protections to all citizens, regardless of religion," Jairam Ramesh said in a statement. He added that's it is also BJP's strategy to "defame traditions and institutions of minority communities to keep our society in a state of permanent polarisation for electoral gains." Ramesh further highlighted the "flaws" of Waqf (Amendement) Bill, noting that it "deliberately deprive" the community of the right to administer its own religious traditions and affairs. "All the institutions created by previous laws to administer waqfs (national council, state boards and tribunals are actively sought to be reduced in stature, composition and authority so as to deliberately deprive the community the right to administer its own religious traditions and affairs." He said in the statement. He said that deliberate ambiguity has been introduced in BJP for determining who can donate their land for waqf purposes thus altering the very definition of waqf itself. Further highlighting the "flaws", he said, "The waqf-by-user concept developed by the nation's judiciary on the basis of long, continued and uninterrupted customary usage is being abolished. Provisions in the existing law are being removed without any reason just to weaken the administration of the waqf. Enhanced defences are now being introduced in the law to protect those who have encroached on waqf lands." Ramesh said in the statement. Lastly, he concluded by saying, "Far-reaching powers have been given to the Collector and other designated state government officers on matters related to disputes concerning waqf properties as well as their registration. Officers of the state governments will now have the powers to derecognise any waqf on anyone's complaint or on a mere allegation of the waqf property being a government property till a final decision is taken," he said. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. (ANI)
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