Controversy over Waqf Bill in Ajmer Sharif: Will it further deepen the gap between religion and politics?

Waqf Amendment Bill: The controversy over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is deepening in the organization of Khadims in Ajmer Sharif Dargah. This bill is to be discussed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday and even before this, two factions have been formed in the Khadim Committee of Ajmer Dargah. On one hand, some Khadims are calling it 'progressive' and 'practical', while on the other hand some Khadims have called it against the Muslim community. This controversy has also taken a political color and allegations of links with BJP are also being made in it.

Support and criticism of the bill: two sides of the Khadims

There is a ruckus among the Khadims of Ajmer Dargah regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill. Khadim Salman Chishti has supported this bill calling it 'progressive' and said that it can bring about improvement in Waqf management. He also expressed his concern about the mismanagement of the Waqf Committee. The controversy increased after his article, especially when Union Minister Kiren Rijiju called it 'pragmatic' and supported it.

At the same time, Ajmer Sharif Anjuman Committee has criticized Salman Chishti and his supporters. The committee's secretary Sarwar Chishti accused Salman Chishti of presenting himself as the 'Dargah Pramukh', while he is only the Khadim of the Dargah. Sarwar Chishti said, 'Salman Chishti has supported the bill for petty gains and has presented it in a wrong manner.'

Political allegations and escalation of the controversy

This controversy has become not only religious but also political. Salman Chishti and Syed Nasruddin Chishti have been accused of having links with BJP and right-wing organizations. Sarwar Chishti said that both Salman and Nasruddin have been involved in anti-BJP and other anti-Muslim activities. He says that these people have also supported BJP on issues like CAA, NRC and Triple Talaq and now there may be a hidden political agenda behind supporting the Waqf Bill.

What is the stand of the Dargah's...

The Anjuman Committee of Ajmer Dargah has passed a resolution criticising the bill, in which, being the official representative body of the dargah's khadims, it has clarified its stand against the bill. The committee has criticised Salman Chishti and said that he is free to give his personal opinion but he cannot be presented as the head of the dargah.

What is the Waqf Amendment Bill?

The main objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is to improve the management of Waqf properties and improve the functioning of the Waqf Board. It has a provision for proper implementation of registration and survey of Waqf properties. However, religious and political controversies have increased over this bill, causing concern and disagreement among various sections of the Muslim community.

What will be the result?

The controversy that has arisen over this bill at Ajmer Sharif Dargah has become a cause of serious debate not only among religious communities but also among political parties. Will this bill help in improving the Waqf management or will it create more difficulties for the Muslim community? The situation may become more clear in the coming days with discussion and debate on this in Parliament, but at present this controversy has intensified in Ajmer Sharif, and everyone's eyes are fixed on its results