Wakf bill in parliament; Kerala Muslim organisations express strong reservations

Malappuram: Muslim organisations in Kerala have strongly opposed the proposed amendment to the Wakf Bill, presented in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has condemned the amendment, describing it as a deceptive attempt to seize Wakf properties.

IUML state president Panakkad Sadikh Ali Shihab Thangal stated that the party would oppose the amendment through political and legal channels. He also warned that if passed, the amendment would not only impact the Muslim community but could potentially lead to the expropriation of assets belonging to other religious groups in the future.

Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala Amir P Mujib Rehman echoed these concerns, claiming that the amendment seeks to undermine the financial and cultural foundations of the Muslim community. He described it as part of a broader agenda orchestrated by right-wing forces.

IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty asserted that the amendment specifically targets a particular community and is unacceptable to secular political parties. He warned that if the bill were passed in Parliament, legal measures would be taken to challenge it. Kunhalikutty also disclosed that IUML had held detailed discussions with the Congress party regarding the issue.

Addressing related matters, Kunhalikutty dismissed any connection between the Wakf Bill amendment and the ongoing Munambam issue, asserting that it is the responsibility of the Kerala government to resolve the dispute. He cautioned against attempts to exploit such matters for political gains.

IUML National Organising Secretary E T Muhammed Basheer also expressed his strong opposition to the amendment, stating that if implemented, Wakf properties would fall into the hands of the BJP government and the Wakf Board would become powerless.

Mujib Rehman criticised the stance of certain Christian organisations on the Wakf issue, calling it unfortunate. He alleged that there were deliberate efforts to delay a resolution to the Munambam dispute, despite the Muslim community’s willingness to engage in discussions. He further warned that the government’s prolonged inaction on the matter was fostering communal tensions.

Rehman also confirmed that his organisation would pursue legal recourse if the amendment were passed in Parliament.