Calcutta Khilafat Committee to write to Nitish, Naidu on waqf bill

Kolkata: The Calcutta Khilafat Committee (CKC) will write to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh's CM N Chandrababu Naidu, key allies of the BJP-led central govt, concerning the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. Following its introduction in Lok Sabha on Aug 8, the bill was directed to a joint parliamentary committee after a debate.CKC — which was established in the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy more than 100 years ago to foster Hindu-Muslim unity against British rule — plans to request both politicians to stand against modifications to the current act.Various NGOs, cultural bodies and Muslim community representatives have organised awareness programmes, gatherings and forums to build opposition to the proposed changes. Their concerns are based on the possibility of reduced independence of state waqf boards, interference with religious sentiments, vulnerability to encroachment and insufficient transparency."Both Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu are key allies in govt, and their support is crucial to pass the new bill. We have decided to write to both CMs urging them to ensure that the status quo is maintained and Centre is unable to pass the bill in Parliament," said Mullick Mohammad Ishaque, joint secretary of CKC.Bihar, where Kumar's JD(U) is in alliance with BJP, goes to polls next year. Representatives of both JD(U) and Telugu Desam Party have on various occasions said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill should safeguard the interests of the Muslim community.Some of the suggested changes include renaming the act, providing representation for women and a separate Board of Auqaf for different sects. "We have been organising several meetings, signature campaigns and sensitisation camps to create awareness that the new bill is going to infringe on rights," said Ishaque.