'No Mosques, graveyards will be touched', says BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad on Waqf bill

BJP legislator Ravi Shankar Prasad has justified the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, saying it will not affect any mosques or graveyards. During a recent interview, Prasad emphasized that the bill aims to bring transparency in the working of Waqf boards. Prasad termed Waqf a statutory organization and not religious, and it is the responsibility of the management to see that the property is utilized for its purpose. He identified that the bill will empower Muslim women and minorities, particularly widows and the downtroddeMs.

Major features of the bill

• Digitization: All Waqf properties shall be digitized to facilitate tracking and management of the same in a more effective manner.
• Transparency: The legislation ensures that every piece of information about Waqf properties, i.e., where they are and where they are being utilized, will be made available on the web.
•  Accountability: The manager or the Muttawali will be responsible for ensuring that the Waqf properties are properly utilized.

Empowering Muslim women and minorities

Prasad said that the bill will empower Muslim women and minorities, protecting their welfare and progress. He also asked why Waqf properties remain underutilized for society's development, with additional properties and revenues.