Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, has accused the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) of being “hijacked” by political figures, diverting its focus from social and religious matters to political agendas. His remarks come as the AIMPLB staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, alleging that the government is attempting to seize Waqf properties. The protest saw participation from eleven opposition parties, including Congress, but Razvi criticized the board for aligning with political groups instead of addressing the core issues of the Muslim community. He pointed out that when the AIMPLB was established, its primary objective was to safeguard Muslim personal laws and social issues. However, he argued that it has now become an avenue for politicians from parties like the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and AIMIM, shifting its priorities from religious concerns to political maneuvering.
Razvi expressed concern over the growing influence of political leaders within the board, stating that AIMPLB was originally meant to function independently of political interference. According to him, past members of the board were primarily scholars and legal experts focused on Sharia-related matters, but today, political leaders hold key positions, shaping its agenda based on electoral considerations rather than religious or social welfare. He warned that such political infiltration could be harmful to the actual concerns of the Muslim community, as it distracts from pressing issues like personal law reforms, education, and economic empowerment. His remarks come in the wake of the ongoing debate surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has faced resistance from various political groups, with AIMPLB leading the opposition. The bill, introduced by the government, aims to reform the management of Waqf properties by digitizing records, ensuring financial transparency, and addressing long-standing issues of encroachments and mismanagement.
The controversy surrounding the bill has intensified as the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) tabled its report in Parliament last month, triggering protests from opposition parties and religious bodies. While the government argues that the amendments will introduce much-needed reforms, critics fear that the bill could weaken Waqf institutions and lead to government control over their assets. Razvi’s strong criticism of AIMPLB’s political involvement has added another layer to the debate, raising questions about whether the board is genuinely fighting for the community’s rights or merely serving political interests. With opposition parties using the issue to target the government, and religious leaders questioning AIMPLB’s role, the dispute over the bill is expected to remain a key topic in the ongoing political discourse.
