Violation of Constitutional Principles:
The Waqf Board should be amended or abolished as it violates the Constitution of India.
No religious body should be above the law, and all citizens are protected under the Constitution regardless of religion.
Why is a Muslim religious body above all, with no one able to lodge an FIR or go to court against its decisions?
Injustice to Property Owners:
Families take 2-3 generations to build a good house and buy land. After suffering for generations, they buy land and build a house.
Suddenly, the Waqf Board declares that this land belongs to them and orders people to leave within 30 days.
This happens even when the family has all documents related to the land, duly registered with the land records authority after paying stamp duty, and all electricity, water bills, and house tax receipts.
Disregard for Laws:
This is a complete disregard for the laws of the nation and the Constitution.
How can anyone believe that the Waqf Board will do justice with non-Muslims when they encroach on their land?
Expecting justice from the Waqf Board is like expecting a kidnapper to be the judge in their own case.
Potential for Civil Unrest:
The Waqf Board is creating a situation for civil war in the country.
When the Waqf Board encroaches on other people’s land with legal backing, it creates a situation similar to Manipur, where one community tries to capture land and oust another.
The Waqf Board, based on religious beliefs, should be limited to a particular community only and should not interfere in other religions and people’s lives.
Invitation for Confrontation:
The Waqf Board is a clear invitation for confrontation with all other religions.
Tomorrow, Hindus might ask for a similar board and declare all properties of Hindus as theirs, citing ancient evidence and claims.
Similarly, Christians and Sikhs might ask for their own boards, leading to everyone capturing whatever they can.
Threat to National Unity:
This poses a threat to the entire country and could result in civil war.
How can the Waqf Board declare other people’s land as their own?
It should be clear that they can work within their religion and not touch any other religion.
Large-Scale Land Scam:
This is a large-scale land scam, nothing more.
Why should non-Muslims go to the Waqf Board to seek justice?
If the Constitution and laws of the nation cannot protect people, what expectations do they have from the Waqf Board?
Historical Precedents:
History shows that properties of non-Muslims were captured in Pakistan and Bangladesh, leading to the disappearance of these communities.
How many Hindu or Sikh properties are now usable in Afghanistan?
Call for Legislative Action:
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) should open their eyes before it’s too late.
No one would like to part with their ancestral property or hard-earned house after paying all taxes and working a lifetime to build it.
A large population lives on subsidies paid by taxpayers, and now their properties can also be confiscated at any time.
Some examples of other countries:-
United States:
The U.S. follows a principle of separation of church and state. Religious endowments are managed by religious organizations themselves, and property disputes are typically resolved through civil courts.
The First Amendment ensures that the government does not interfere in religious matters, but religious organizations must comply with general laws, including property laws.
United Kingdom:
The Church of England, as the established church, has certain privileges, but it also operates under specific legal frameworks.
Property disputes involving religious endowments are handled by civil courts, and there are specific laws governing the management of church properties.
Israel:
Property disputes are often resolved through a combination of religious and civil legal systems, depending on the nature of the endowment and the parties involved.
Malaysia:
Malaysia has a dual legal system, with Sharia law applicable to Muslims and civil law applicable to non-Muslims.
Waqf properties are managed by state Islamic councils, and disputes are typically resolved through Sharia courts. However, civil courts may also be involved in certain cases4.
Turkey:
Turkey has a secular legal system, but it also has a Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) that oversees religious endowments.
Property disputes involving religious endowments are handled by civil courts, and the government plays a significant role in managing religious properties.
Even Muslims Countries don’t have such system.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) should take note of these issues before it’s too late.