Agartala, Apr 18 (UNI) Amid protests in several parts of the country, the ruling BJP in Tripura has launched a counter campaign highlighting the benefits of the recently passed Waqf Amendment Act.
Addressing a state-level workshop for BJP leaders on the benefits of the amended Waqf Act, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb, BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee, and BJP National Secretary Anil Antony urged Muslims not to be whimsical and get involved in peace-breaking activities.
Dr Saha said that Waqf Amendment Act 2025 has been passed to address allegations of misuse of Waqf properties by a section of leaders, misuse of Section 40, land grabbing, and other allegations of corruption. Because the loopholes of Waqf Act 1995 severely affected the poor Muslims, which were plucked in the amendment.
The Congress and Communists have been trying to create confusion among the public by misinterpreting the spirit and provisions of the act, like on previous occasions, Dr Saha alleged and added, “They did the same during the removal of Triple Talaq. I want to assure the Muslims that whatever PM Modi is doing, it is for the welfare of everyone.”
He said the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru constituted the Waqf Board first in 1954, and in 1995, a law was formed for the Waqf Board. In 2013, some powers were given to the Waqf Board, which created issues by occupying land illegally.
“A section of so-called leaders were doing this for their vested interests, and crores of rupees came to them. Despite having such huge assets, there were no social works or development works. In the properties of the Waqf, there was a lack of transparency, and to bring transparency, this bill was introduced. There are many prolonged litigations, including encroachment,” he said.
He further informed that in 2013, there were 10,381 pending cases, which have now increased to 21,618 cases, due to a lack of proper accounting and auditing of Waqf properties. As per data from September 2024, across 25 States/UTs Waqf Boards, a total of 5,973 government properties have been declared as Waqf properties.
Referring to Sachar Committee report, Antony said Waqf properties cover approximately 37 lakh acres, with a potential annual income of Rs 12,000 crore. The new law mandates registration of all Waqf properties and ensures that the generated income is used for the welfare of the poor, and no religious places would be affected by the act, he asserted.
UNI BB KK