Compilation of the summary of the discussions held in the virtual meeting of the National Working Committee of All India People’s Front on 14 August 2024: –
(SAMAJ WEEKLY)- The National Working Committee of All India People’s Front (AIPF) discussed in detail three important issues of the present time, including the political situation arising in Bangladesh, the change of power and its direction, secondly, the order and decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 1 August 2024 in the context of Devendra Singh and others vs. Government of Punjab and others and amendment in the Waqf Act. A statement and video were released on the opinion of AIPF on the situation in Bangladesh and the order of the Supreme Court on sub-classification in Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Civil society and democratic forces supported our political opinion and believed that the change in Bangladesh should be seen in totality. While raising the question of the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, it was also believed that there is a need to be cautious of the forces that are making a lot of misrepresentation about this political change and communalizing the issue. The Indian government was also expected to maintain a relationship of equality and mutual understanding between the two sovereign nations and strengthen the relations between the people of the two countries. The Indian government should also act towards strengthening the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
It was also said about the Supreme Court’s decision to sub-classify Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes that instead of focusing energy on its intention, it should be seen how the neglected sections of the society can be strengthened physically and educationally so that they can fill their allotted quota. It is sad but true that even the posts reserved for Scheduled Castes and Tribes are not filled completely. Those posts should be filled and even if they are not filled, they should not be brought outside the quota of Scheduled Castes and Tribes. It should be ensured that these posts are filled from these sections at all costs. It was also noted that it would have been better if the Supreme Court had looked into this question and taken an appropriate decision. However, AIPF is of the opinion that these questions should have been discussed in Parliament by now and this time the Modi led Central Government adjourned the Parliament session in a hurry, which was also criticized. On this, AIPF has requested all the political parties to create an atmosphere and pressure in the country so that a special session of Parliament is called and positive action and discussion takes place on these fundamental questions given in the Constitution and concrete decisions are taken.
The third issue discussed was the amendment brought by the Government of India in the Wakf Act 1995. It was noted that the amendments brought by the Central Government in the name of reform are basically for curtailing the rights of citizens and communalization. As a recent example, in the name of simplification of law through Labor Code, the rights that the workers had achieved through their struggles over hundreds of years are being abolished, as a result of which more or less all the state governments have increased the working hours of workers from 8 hours to 12 hours. Similarly, all the amendments made with good words have ultimately been anti-people. The change in the Waqf Act is also no exception to this. Through this amendment, the Waqf Act 1995 has been given a new name – Joint Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act. The most dangerous aspect of this is the communalization of the entire issue. BJP-RSS and its so-called intellectual cell and a group of lawyers propagated as if the Waqf Act and Board are above the law of the country. It was told that if the Waqf Board wants, it can declare any land, site, heritage as its property and you cannot go to any civil court against it. This is a lie told to divide the society and to promote the politics of the BJP. It was also told that after defence and railways, the maximum land in this country, about 8.5 lakh acres, is in the possession of the Waqf Board. The general society was surprised and started feeling how an institution can be above the law of the country. Some Muslim organizations have also played a role in spreading this illusion of the propaganda machinery of the RSS-BJP. Though many Muslim intellectuals and organisations have made the common people aware of the real situation, their reach has been limited. AIPF feels that this is not just a question of Muslim rights. Instead of stressing that no institution in the country is above civil law, the opposition parties have labelled this as an attack on Muslim rights. These opposition political parties have considered their work done by sending the entire issue to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). But the bigger task is to make all sections of society aware that this is part of the BJP’s campaign of lies so that its authoritarian politics can flourish and it can save its ever-shrinking mass base.
The fact is that the tradition of giving Waqf is hundreds of years old in our country and people have donated their land and property for the good of the society like schools, hospitals and other social welfare works rather than for personal gain. Apart from Muslims, Hindus have also donated for Waqf. Everyone knows that this Waqf also includes the mosque, Idgah, Dargah and graveyard for burial of the Muslims. Comparing these properties with defence and railway land is the most impudent and its aim is to mobilise people on communal lines. IPF believes that the law brought to change the rules of Waqf is also aimed at political manipulation. Like saying that now the District Magistrate will take the final decision on Waqf lands. By increasing the judicial work of the District Magistrate in place of the civil court through this, people will not get justice. There are not only Waqf tribunals but many tribunals where cases of various departments go directly. Anyone who knows the law and fights a case is aware of this. Let us also tell you that to take care of the land and to decide which land is Waqf, the state governments appoint Survey Commissioners who are authorised to take decisions. The gazette of Waqf lands is issued in the states based on their report. Only senior officials of the state governments are sent to the Waqf Board. To divide on the basis of which officer is a Hindu and which is a Muslim is against the constitutional system and civic values. A Wakf Council is formed at the centre in which the cabinet minister related to Wakf of the central government is the ex-officio president of this council.
However, AIPF is of the opinion that this is not a legal amendment but a part of authoritarian politics. To know about its legal provisions and the entire system related to Wakf, AIPF appeals to the common citizens to get information from people who know the law and stand against the false campaign of the BJP.
S.R. Darapuri,
National President.
All India People’s Front
