New Delhi: The government must take Muslim organisations into confidence before passing the Waqf Amendment Bill 2010 and should give an assurance to protect over 4 lakh acres of Waqf land across the country, influential Islamic outfit Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said on Sunday.
Maulana Arshad Madni, president of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, also asked the government to abandon its plan of bringing Waqf land under National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation as it was "unacceptable" to them.
"We will not accept any such flawed bill which does not give an assurance of complete protection of 4 lakh acres of Muslim 'Aukaf' or Waqf land spread all across the country and which does not make sure that revenue generated through the Waqf land will be used only for the benefits of Muslims," he said.
The Central Waqf Council had sent a proposal to the government recommending the constitution of National Waqf Development Corporation under Company Act to look after Waqf land, Madni said while addressing 'All India Protection of Auqaf Conference' here which was also attended by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Rahman Khan.
Madni said it was proposed that Central government will have a share of 51 per cent in the Corporation while the remaining 49 per cent will be shared by Waqf Board, Central Waqf council and other related institutions.
The money generated under this mechanism was proposed to be used for the benefits of poor Muslims, widows, children and other marginalised section of Muslim community, he said.
"Our recommendation was even appreciated by the Sacchar Committee and the Joint Parliamentary Committee headed by Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in their reports," he said.
However, the government has decided to form 'Waqf Development Agency' on the recommendation of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation where in the Central government will only have a share of 26 per cent while the remaining 74 per cent will be shared by private sector.
"The revenue generated by Waqf land is meant for Muslims but the NMDFC works for other communities as well. We want to ask how can our money be used for other communities?" he asked.
He sought to know why Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid was not willing to listen to their grievances. "Despite that, we have written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Cabinet Secretary last year bringing into their notice our objections regarding this."
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