Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomes Christian organizations' submissions on Waqf Board Bill, slams Congress

Former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Saturday (Sep 28) took to social media welcoming submissions on Waqf Board Bill to Parliamentary Committee by two Christian organizations in Kerala. In a post on X, he said these submissions reveal how Waqf boards are unjust claiming lands from large number of citizens who have legally purchased lands. He also took a dig at Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party for opposing Waqf Board amendment act. 

He also shared a copy of the said submissions in his 'X' post.

"I welcome the submissions to Parl committee on #WaqfBoardBill, by two leading Christian organizations 🙏🏻

Their submissions reveal how #Waqf boards are unjustly claiming land from "a large number of citizens who hv legally purchased and developed lands.. These claims are unjust, Unconstitutional and violation of peoples fundamental rights"

But guess who continues to oppose Waqf board amendment act - Rahuls constitution waving Cong party," Rajeev Chandrasekhar posted on X. 

The submission are from Syro Malabar Archiepiscopal Church Chairman Archbishop and Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, President of Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council.

"Respected Officer,
Your kind and immediate attention is invited to the following grievance. In Ernakulum District of Kerala, numerous properties that have belonged to Christian families for generations in the villages of 'Cherai & Munambam' have been unlawfully claimed by the Waqf Board, leading to protracted legal battles and the displacement of rightful owners. Around 600 families are under threat. These people belong to the impoverished fishermen community. One Catholic Parish Church, Convent and dispensary are under threat of evacuation by the Waqf Board.

The Syro-Malabar Public Affairs Commission requests the Joint Parliamentary Committee to consider the tragic situation of the people in these villages and many other parts of India who are under the threat of losing their houschold by the totally unjust and inhuman claims made by the Waqf borad. We request the committee to make suggestions to amend the Waqf Act 1995, on the basis of humanitarian and constitutional principles," letter from Archbishop Andrews Thazath reads.

In his letter, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos wrote, "The Honorable Members of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the Waqf (Amend ment) Bill,
I. the undersigned, respectfully submit this petition to bring to your attention a grave issue affecting more than 600 families residing in Munanbam Beach, Emakulam District, Kerala State. Since 2022, the enforcement of the Waqf Law has caused considerable hardship for these families, who are enduring immense distress and uncertainty due to unjust claims on their properties by the Waqf Board.

It is deeply concerning that the Waqf Board's claims are being made against a large number of citizens who legally purchased and developed their lands. These claims are unjust. unconstitutional, and a clear violation of the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.

I urge the Commission to take immediate and decisive action to resolve this issue and to ensure that such claims on lawfully owned properties of Indian citizens are not repeated in the future. It is the Commission's responsibility to guarantee that the law is enforced fairly and justly, without infringing upon the constitutional rights of citizens to live with dignity and to own property.

I respectfully request that the Commission thoroughly review the provisions of the Waqf Law that have led to this situation and consider amending or repealing those provisions to prevent similar occurrences across India in the future.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter."

This comes amid huge number of suggestions to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

• Rajeev Chandrasekhar