RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh State in-charge of Bharatiya Janata Party Minority Morcha and BJP leader Dr. Salim Raj welcoming the amendment made in the Waqf Act by the government, said the law is to provide justice to the poor Muslims of the country. The Waqf Act should be amended and reformed as per the time. The law is being brought to remove the present discrepancies, for which the community are pleased.

He said that Waqf Board was created for the uplift of poor Muslims. Waqf property is considered the property of God (Allah). On the contrary, the powers of the Waqf Act are only being misused. Due to the unlimited rights and powers received by the Union, State and State Waqf Boards of the country, it is giving protection to religious landlordism, corruption and land mafias. The present Waqf Act is completely autocratic and common Muslims are not getting any benefit from it. The amended Waqf Act is a law to crack down on landlord abuses and land mafia and encroachers. There is a law that provides rights and powers to the government in matters of Waqf properties.

He said that with the changes in Section 09 and 14 of the Waqf Act, the board will become more powerful and effective, registration of Waqf property will be done through verification, which will prevent misuse of the Waqf Act 2013. By involving the Collector in the matter of Waqf property, the work of the Waqf Board will become more effective.

With the new amendment law, Waqf Board will be able to work for the social, economic and educational development of the poor, divorcees and widows of the Muslim society. In the past too, the Waqf Act has been amended from time to time by the Congress government. Waqf Board has assets worth Rs 8.7 lakh crore and land of about 9.4 lakh acres. With its proper utilization, the poor Muslim community of the country will undoubtedly benefit directly and their educational and economic condition will be strengthened, he said.