Karnataka, Telangana Waqf Boards Reject Amendment Bill

The Karnataka and Telangana Waqf Boards have unanimously rejected the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, introduced by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Both boards condemned the Bill, stating it undermines the autonomy of Waqf institutions and targets the Muslim community. The Bill seeks to centralize the regulation of Waqf boards, allowing for the appointment of non-Muslim members and chief executive officers by state governments, and grants collectors excessive control over Waqf properties. The Karnataka Waqf Board has urged the state government to oppose the Bill, while the Telangana Waqf Board plans to consult with other non-BJP states to garner further opposition. This controversy has led to the Bill being sent to a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion.