Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Stands Firm on Waqf Amendment Bill Amid Political Tensions

Apr, 3 2025

The Need for Reform in Waqf Management

Things in the world of Waqf properties aren't going smoothly, and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi knows it all too well. As a former Union Minister for Minority Affairs, he's taking a strong stance in favor of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, viewing it as a necessary step to untangle the mess that’s been dogging the system for years. Naqvi is addressing the critics head-on, stating that the bill is all about dragging the Waqf system out of the shadows and into the light of transparency and effective governance. And let's face it, with widespread reports of disputes and supposed 'Waqf mafias' meddling with religious assets, something's got to give.

Naqvi isn't just preaching change for change’s sake. He's pointing out that tweaking Waqf laws is not unheard of. History is peppered with amendments made during both Congress and Vajpayee times. This isn’t reinventing the wheel; it's about making it roll smoother. The bill made its debut in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024, but not without raising some eyebrows. A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is digging deep into the details, aiming to sift through the mess and propose meaningful insights. Naqvi is all for this constructive grilling but warns against turning it into a public spectacle.

Appeals for Constructive Political Dialogue

Politics, as usual, isn't without its drama. The usual suspects—the opposition and some tense allies—are throwing around accusations that the bill's a veiled attack on mosques and Islamic institutions. Naqvi is having none of it. This bill isn’t out to rock the religious boat; it's trying to safeguard sacred sites from getting caught in the crossfire of exploitation. The BJP government isn't backing down, and with allies like TDP, JD(U), and Shiv Sena warming up to the idea after a bit of back-and-forth, it’s feeling like progress. Naqvi doesn’t miss a chance to pitch this as part of the wider 'Amrit Kaal' vision under Modi, figuring out a route towards more accountability and equal stakeholder involvement.

The Winter Session is approaching fast, and the government is keen on pushing this through. Naqvi isn’t just banking on legislative backing, though. He’s also calling on Muslim leaders to join the table, not start protests outside Parliament. To him, the game plan is about getting voices heard where it really counts, in the heart of the JPC and parliamentary debates.