Looking at the new law on Waqf,
I am reminded of a story my mother used to tell me. In a village, there was a man who would shout every night, “The wolf has come, the wolf has come!” The innocent villagers would rush out to save him.
But then the man would laugh and say, “Look, I fooled you!” and burst into loud laughter. One day, a wolf actually came, and he kept shouting, “The wolf has come, the wolf has come, save me, it will eat me!” But no one came. The villagers thought, as usual, he was joking again.
The same is the case with Waqf properties. Our clerics have been alleging that the properties are being misused, that there is corruption, and that big leaders and land mafias are illegally occupying them. They demanded CBI investigations and held countless protests from Lucknow to Delhi, luring poor people with promises of better days tomorrow, only to fool them. As a result, economically weaker people gained nothing. Even when houses or shops were built, they were given only after taking “donations” with receipts. It’s outrageous that poor people, whose loved ones pass away, are charged hefty amounts for graves in the name of “Nazre Maula” donations. Is it fair to take money from someone who has lost their parents, siblings, or any family member in the name of “Nazre Maula” or donations? Have all emotions died? Was this the intention of those who dedicated their properties to Waqf? No, not at all—it was simply exploiting people’s helplessness.
Now, a new law has come to bring reforms, ensuring that financial and property-related corruption in the Waqf Board will be completely stopped. No longer will “Nazre Maula” donations be taken for shops, houses, or especially graves. If any donation is taken, it will be through online payment, and a proper receipt will be given to the donor.
Objections to certain aspects of the new law have been raised before the Honorable Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled for April 16, 2025. According to experts, the fight on the ground and on social media should end, and the battle can now be fought legally. Yet, some people, to stay in the limelight and gain political mileage, send their own children abroad to study while making poor people—who have not benefited a penny from the Waqf Board—stage protests. Yesterday, during a protest in West Bengal regarding this issue, a death occurred, and legal action was taken against some individuals, which is extremely tragic
