Centre’s Waqf Act amendment aims to stir Hindu-Muslim narrative, says Sawant, Sena UBT Leader

Sawant, who was part of the Joint Committee on the Waqf Amendment Bill, has accused the parliamentary panel chairman, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, of engaging in “deceptive practices” by not conducting a clause-by-clause discussion on the proposed legislation, despite it being listed in the agenda.

He further criticized the working of the panel, calling it dictatorial.

The proposed bill aims to streamline the registration process of Waqf properties while ensuring their proper use and preventing any form of misuse. The bill is expected to be presented before Parliament during the second phase of the session, scheduled from March 10 to April 4.

Earlier this year, in January, 10 opposition members out of the 31-member panel were suspended following a dispute over the scheduling of clause-by-clause discussions on the bill.

Sawant highlighted this as evidence of the authoritarian manner in which the panel’s chairman was functioning, allegedly acting under the guidance of the BJP leadership to steer the committee’s proceedings.

“The government’s intentions are questionable. They are consistently setting a particular narrative in the country and misleading the public,” Sawant, a former Union minister, claimed.

He alleged that the government is pushing a divisive Hindu-Muslim narrative to project itself as the protector of Hindus. “Protecting the interests of Hindus does not mean creating animosity towards other communities,” he added.

The Waqf Amendment Bill is expected to be taken up for discussion in the second half of the Budget Session following the Union Cabinet’s approval of amendments recommended by the joint parliamentary committee.

During a meeting held on February 19, the cabinet reportedly gave its consent to 14 amendments suggested by the committee.

The panel’s report, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, was presented in Parliament on February 13, but the session witnessed uproar and a subsequent walkout by opposition members.

Sawant asserted that the opposition would strongly resist the bill once it is introduced in Parliament. He further alleged that the concerns raised by opposition members were disregarded by the panel. The opposition had submitted a dissent note, but it remains uncertain whether it has been incorporated into the report, according to the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader.

Raising further objections, Sawant claimed that the panel had invited stakeholders for consultations, but these included individuals affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its associated organization, Vanvasi Ashram. He alleged that their participation was meant to criticize the Waqf Board by exaggerating claims about large tracts of land under its control.

He also pointed out the contradiction in the government’s stance, arguing that while it promotes a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), it seeks to appoint two non-Muslim members to the Waqf Board along with additional officers.

Previously, members of the Muslim community were elected to the Waqf Board through a formal election process. However, under the new provisions, the government would appoint members instead of conducting elections, Sawant explained.

He expressed concerns that this could lead to a situation where non-Muslim members dominate the Waqf Board, questioning whether this would be fair to minority communities. “Justice should be impartial, whether for the majority or the minority,” he remarked.

Additionally, Sawant voiced apprehensions regarding Hindu temples, emphasizing that the Hindu Endowment Act, which governs temple administration, has specific provisions restricting non-Hindus from temple management roles. He cited the Pandharpur and Varanasi temples as examples where only Hindus are allowed on their respective managing committees.

He warned that if the government enforced common civil code provisions through the Waqf Bill, similar demands could arise for Hindu temples, which he asserted would be unacceptable. “We will not tolerate the inclusion of non-Hindus in the administration of Hindu temples,” Sawant stated firmly.

Another key concern raised by Sawant was the proposed change in the authority overseeing Waqf property disputes. Under existing provisions, the survey commissioner is responsible for conducting surveys in case of disputes. However, the bill proposes replacing the survey commissioner with the district collector.

Sawant argued that this move presents a conflict of interest, as the collector represents the revenue department, which also holds ownership over the disputed land. “Under the new provisions, the government will act as both the complainant and the judge,” he contended.

The joint committee’s detailed 655-page report was formally submitted to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on January 30.

The committee approved the report, incorporating recommendations primarily from BJP members, with a vote of 15-11, prompting the opposition to label the move as an attempt to weaken and dismantle the Waqf Board.

The bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on August 8 last year before being referred to the joint parliamentary committee for further examination.