On Friday, September 6, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) made a presentation before the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 extending their support to the bill. ASI’s presentation took place during the 4th meeting of the JPC examining the amendment.
Lending support to the Waqf Amendment Bill, ASI cited its ongoing tussle with Waqf Boards around India over 120 historical monuments, as per reports. Reportedly, the discussions during the JPC meeting took a heated turn with the officials of the culture ministry, which supervises ASI, hinting that the Waqf Boards held arbitrary powers, while opposition members defended Waqf Boards.
According to sources, the Archaeological Survey of India gave a detailed presentation in the JPC meeting on issues related to Waqf in protected monuments and sites and explained the problems they are facing with so many historical monuments. They also discussed why the Waqf Board Amendment Bill is necessary.
The Waqf Act 1995 empowers the Waqf Board to declare any property or building as Waqf property in the name of charity. According to sources, using this authority, the Waqf Board has issued notifications to declare protected monuments as Waqf properties, resulting in conflicts with the rights granted under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.
Speaking after the JPC-led meeting, Shiv Sena (Shinde group) leader and panelist of the JPC, Naresh Mhaske told ANI that Waqf Board properties are not being used for the welfare of the poor.
This is why the Waqf Board Amendment Bill has been brought and as members of the committee, we are deliberating on the bill, and it will soon be tabled in the Parliament for approval. ASI also attended the meeting. ASI said that many properties which have previously been conserved by the government of India, have been claimed by the Waqf without any proof,” Mhaske told ANI.
Naresh Mhaske said that the opposition only talks about opposing, and there is a competition among them to see who can speak out more against the amendment bill and deliver more speeches.
Source : opindia
