(Siasat News) All India Muslim Personal Law Board launched a campaign for the protection of the constitutional rights of the minorities to establish and administer their own religious educational institutions in the country. Its effect was positive. Accepting the proposal of Muslim Personal Law Board, Central Govt. amended Right to Education Act and kept the religious and educational institutions of the Muslims out of its jurisdiction.
Govt. of India is not prepared to amend Wakf bill. It seems that so long as Mr. Salman Khursheed continues to hold this portfolio, he doesn’t want to listen to anything on this issue. He is adamant on the stand taken by him. In this connection, there is a need to conduct meetings and seminars on a large scale throughout the country. These thoughts were expressed by Maulana Wali Rahmani, Secretary and Convener of constitutional Right Protection Committee of Muslim Personal Law Board in a meeting held at Darul-Uloom, Hyderabad. He further told that under the campaign of constitutional rights protection, representation was made to Govt. to recognize the right to education of the Muslims. Govt. of India accepted. It in addition to this, representations were also made regarding Direct Tax Code, Wakf Bill and succession of property rights of Women in U.P.
There are positive hints from Govt. of India but so long as the bill is not passed, the statements of the politicians can’t be trusted. We can’t keep quiet also. The young C.M. of U.P. in a letter written to President, Muslim Personal Law Board has assured that succession of property Bill for Women will be enacted in accordance with Muslim Personal Law.
Maulana Rahmani told that it is very obvious that Wakfs are the Muslim properties and no other persons has any right over them. Whatever Law is enacted, it should be in accordance with the wishes of the Muslims. The attitude of Muslim Personal Law Board is very approrpirate in this regard. There is a need to make this understand to the Govt. and it is necessary to vent our grievances to the portals of the Govt. For this, an All India Movement should be launched.
Maulana Rahmani told that such voices have risen from Hyderabad in the past and they had an impact on the Govt. This time also a voice would be raised and we will try to communicate this voice to the Govt of U.P.
Maulana Mohammed Abdur Rahim Quraishi, who was president of yesterday’s meeting told that as per constitution, every individual has a right to profess religion or faith of his choice but through Direct Tax code, Govt. is trying to interfere into our right to worship. As per this act Govt. is trying to impose a tax on all the religious institutions, which came into being after 1962. He said that Muslim personal Law Board had sent proposals for amending the Wakf Act but Govt. didn’t accept them. Justice Syed Shah Mohammed Quadri told that Govt. has amended Right to Education Act. There is a need for the Muslims Personal Law Board to give a new slogan for the Protection of Wakfs. He advised the Muslim Organizations to include print and electronic media also into their movement.
Justice Shah Mohammed Quadri pointed out that supreme court has recently pronounced a judgement that Wakf Tribunals have no right to hear the cases of Wakf properties and their tenants. This issue could also be included in the list of demands of Muslim Personal Law Board and there is a need to raise our voice against it also. He clarified that Wakf Boards are not the owners of Wakf properties, they are only their custodians, the actual responsibility of maintenance of Wakf properties lies with the Muthawallies. If they do not fulfill their responsibilities, Wakf Board can remove them. Despite dislodging the Mutawallies on account of corruption charges or other, Wakf Board can’t be the owner of Wakf property. He also said that Wakf Board has no authority to sell Wakf properties and get their sales proceeds.
The members present in the meeting suggested for the revival of the meetings of the Muslim Personal Law Board and promised to extend their fullest cooperation. Maulana Raheemuddin Ansari told that constitutional Rights Protection committees are functioning in the districts and with their help such meetings will be started very soon.
The meeting started with the recitation of the Quranic verses by Mohammed Khalid a student of Darul Uloom.
Maulana Raheemuddin Ansari conducted the meeting. A large number of ladies and gentlemen representing various institutions were present at the meeting. The meeting ended with the prayer offered by Maulana Sadiq Mohiuddin Faheem.
–Siasat News–