Mysuru: University of Mysore Syndicate member Prof. Shabbir Mustafa said that Waqf Board property is being used for the benefit of all communities without any discrimination.

He was speaking at the expert seminar on Waqf Board organised by Congress leader Abdul Khader Shahid Geleyara Balaga at a private Hotel here yesterday.

Maintaining that the Waqf Board activities are not limited to one particular religion, Mustafa said it is unfortunate that the Waqf (Amendment) Act of 1995 has now turned out to be a controversy. Stating that almost all of Waqf properties are voluntarily donated ones, he said that the Waqf Board does not forcibly acquire properties.

Asserting that Waqf Properties are not meant for commercial use and only for social purposes, he charged the BJP leaders of politicising the Waqf Board issue.

Contending that Waqf properties have centuries of history, he said that there are property agreements as old as 876 A.D and 919 A.D are available in the Board’s Museum. Asserting that no Muslim has questioned the divinity of Lord Ram, he said that Islam does not permit speaking ill of other religions.

“There is a place for non-Muslims too in the Waqf Board. There is reservation for women too. I wonder why the RSS which speaks so much about religion and religious matters, hasn’t given space for women in its organisation thus far”, he said and expressed anger why the Waqf Board is being unfairly targeted when there is corruption everywhere.

He also strongly opposed the Union Government’s move to introduce Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for amending the Waqf Act,1995 and to redress the issues and challenges in regulating and managing  Waqf properties.

Congress leader Abdul Khader Shahid, activist Shivasundar and farmer leader Manju Kiran too spoke. Azeemuddin and others were present.