National: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has ignited a discussion surrounding the management of Waqf properties nationwide, advocating for a stringent reassessment of land utilization to uplift marginalized communities.
He emphasized that the sheer magnitude of India’s landmass necessitates meticulous oversight, ensuring “every inch of land in the country should be used properly” and is devoid of contentious claims.
Rijiju’s comments draw attention to India’s position as the custodian of the world’s most extensive collection of Waqf properties, exceeding 9.72 lakh registered assets. However, he articulated deep reservations regarding the current state of these resources, asserting that they are failing to fulfill their designated role of aiding impoverished Muslims, succumbing instead to exploitation and unlawful encroachment.
“This is a matter of serious concern,” the minister reiterated, underscoring that the recent modifications to the land bill are designed to address a dual imperative: to directly benefit the economically disadvantaged within the Muslim community and to eradicate the systemic plundering and misappropriation of Waqf assets.
“So when we amended the land bill, our two main objectives are to benefit the poor Muslims and to stop the looting and misuse of the property,” he articulated, clarifying the legislative intent behind the reforms. These pronouncements emerge within the backdrop of ongoing national dialogues regarding land reforms and the governance of religious endowments, as the central government champions enhanced transparency and accountability in the administration of such holdings.
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