Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday emphasised the need for significant reforms in the functioning of Waqf boards and called the recent passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill by Parliament a concrete and much-needed step in that direction.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Patna, Khan said that while the city has several Waqf boards, none are actively operating orphanages or hospitals for public welfare. “The functioning of the Waqf boards requires a lot of improvement. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament is a concrete step in this direction,” he said.
He further remarked that although Waqf properties are considered to be devoted to Allah, their current use contradicts this principle. “It is said that Waqf properties belong to Allah… but contrary to this, members of the boards are preoccupied with legal disputes,” the Governor stated.
He claimed that the relatives of board members are often the ones benefiting from these properties, which he described as “un-Islamic,” stressing that board officials seem unconcerned with the welfare of the poor and destitute.
Recalling his tenure as a minister in charge of the Waqf Ministry in Uttar Pradesh, Khan shared that similar problems existed there. “Even in UP, the Waqf board members were busy fighting land and property cases rather than focusing on their primary responsibility — serving the underprivileged,” he said.
“Waqf property means that the original owner has dedicated it to Allah, making Him the proprietor,” he explained, reiterating the religious and moral obligations tied to Waqf assets.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday night, a day after it was cleared in the Lok Sabha. The draft legislation has been at the center of controversy, with the united opposition strongly objecting to its provisions.
Also Read: Waqf Bill will be scrapped if RJD wins: Tejashwi Yadav
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