Darul Uloom Deoband meets House panel on Waqf Bill, opposes changes to existing Act

A delegation, representing the seminary, told the panel that the existing law that governs Waqf properties needs to be effectively implemented and there is no need to change or alter it.

Maulana Arshad Madani, the principal of Darul Uloom Deoband, took part in the proceedings and also submitted a document with the seminary’s views on the 44 proposed amendments to the Waqf Act.

Speaking to reporters before the meeting on Wednesday, Pal said: “It mentions in the Sachar committee report…That there are disputes between Waqf boards and state governments. In Delhi, there are more than 200 such properties, 60 in UP, 45 in Rajasthan, and in MP and Odisha. In six states where the disputes are high, we will call the chief secretary level officers. The states will answer if they are government properties or Waqf properties. So we can incorporate that in the report. This JPC will also call the states… We will call the stakeholders, and the study tour was incomplete, and it will continue in Kolkata, Patna and Lucknow. We will meet officials there and stakeholders.”

Talking of the participation of the Deoband seminary on Wednesday, Pal said it is an important organisation and will be heard.