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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has initiated a comprehensive campaign in Rajasthan, titled ‘Waqf Sudhaar Janjagran Abhiyan,’ aimed at promoting the recently enacted Waqf Amendment Act. This initiative underscores the party's strategic focus on engaging with the Muslim community and ensuring the smooth implementation of the Act's provisions within the state. The campaign, slated to commence on April 16, will involve dedicated teams, referred to as ‘Tolis,’ operating across all districts and blocks of Rajasthan. These teams will be responsible for disseminating information about the benefits of the Waqf Amendment Act to the Muslim population and addressing any concerns or misconceptions surrounding the legislation. The BJP's move is particularly noteworthy in light of the opposition to the Act from influential Muslim organizations such as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Rajasthan Muslim Forum, which have voiced concerns about the potential implications of the amendments. By launching this campaign, the BJP seeks to directly counter the narratives being propagated by these organizations and present its own perspective on the Act's objectives and benefits.
Rajasthan, with its substantial number of registered waqf properties, presents a unique context for the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act. The state is home to over 17,500 such properties, a significant portion of which are currently embroiled in disputes involving the state waqf board, government agencies, and local residents. These disputes often revolve around issues such as ownership, encroachment, and mismanagement of waqf assets. The BJP's campaign aims to address these long-standing issues by promoting transparency and accountability in the management of waqf properties. The party intends to expose instances of corruption and irregularities within the Rajasthan Waqf Board, which it alleges has been expanding its listings without ensuring that the revenue generated from these properties reaches the intended beneficiaries within the Muslim community. Former Union minister Kailash Choudhary is leading the campaign in Rajasthan. The BJP minority morcha president Hamid Khan Mewati will serve as the state co-coordinator. This emphasizes the importance the party places on this initiative. The campaign's success will hinge on its ability to effectively communicate the Act's provisions to the Muslim community and address their concerns in a transparent and constructive manner.
The BJP's strategy involves deploying teams at the state, divisional, and district levels to ensure comprehensive coverage and effective communication. The state-level ‘Toli’ will consist of four members, while each of the state's seven divisions will be overseen by a senior BJP leader. District-level teams are scheduled to be formed on April 16, coinciding with the official launch of the campaign. The BJP spokesperson and coordinator of the Ajmer Waqf Toli, Ramlal Sharma, has stated that the initiative aims to uncover the “hidden truth” behind waqf property disputes and ensure that illegally claimed waqf properties are released in accordance with the law. The team has also been tasked with collecting information on alleged waqf encroachments, particularly those involving Congress leaders and land mafias, as part of its efforts to promote accountability. This element of the campaign introduces a potentially contentious aspect, as it could be perceived as an attempt to politicize the issue of waqf property disputes and target political opponents.
The BJP's broader outreach to the Muslim community includes countering what it describes as waqf-related “misinformation” through public meetings, local gatherings, and digital campaigns across Rajasthan. The party aims to dispel any misconceptions about the Waqf Amendment Act and reassure the Muslim community that the non-disputed waqf properties will remain protected. The BJP spokesperson, Ramlal Sharma, has emphasized that the Prime Minister's message to the Muslim community is clear: “Don't be misled by Congress or anti-national forces.” This statement underscores the BJP's framing of the issue as a battle against political adversaries and elements perceived as being detrimental to national interests. The campaign represents a significant effort by the BJP to engage with the Muslim community in Rajasthan and promote its vision for the management of waqf properties. Its success will depend on its ability to build trust, address concerns, and ensure that the benefits of the Waqf Amendment Act reach the intended beneficiaries within the Muslim community.
Furthermore, the timing of this campaign is crucial, as it is being seen as a precursor to the possible dissolution of the Rajasthan Waqf Board. The current chairman and members of the board were appointed by the Congress government in 2021, and their tenure is scheduled to end in 2027. If the BJP were to dissolve the board, it would have the opportunity to appoint its own representatives, potentially shifting the balance of power in the management of waqf properties. The BJP's campaign also aims to increase accountability within the Waqf board. By collecting details on alleged Waqf encroachments, particularly those involving Congress leaders and land mafias, the BJP hopes to expose any wrongdoings and hold those responsible accountable. This focus on accountability could resonate with members of the Muslim community who have long been concerned about the mismanagement of Waqf properties. The campaign's success will likely depend on the BJP's ability to effectively communicate its message to the Muslim community, address their concerns, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to improving the management of Waqf properties.
One of the central arguments of the BJP campaign is that despite a surge in Waqf listings, the corresponding revenue has not reached the Muslim community. This claim is likely to be a key focus of the campaign, as it directly addresses the issue of corruption and mismanagement within the Waqf board. By highlighting this disparity, the BJP aims to gain the trust of the Muslim community and position itself as the party that will ensure that Waqf properties are managed in a transparent and accountable manner. The campaign's success will also depend on the BJP's ability to counter the opposition from the AIMPLB and the Rajasthan Muslim Forum. These organizations have raised concerns about the potential implications of the Waqf Amendment Act, and the BJP will need to address these concerns in a convincing manner. It is important to note that Waqf properties hold significant religious, cultural, and economic value for the Muslim community. They are often used to support religious institutions, schools, hospitals, and other charitable causes. The proper management of Waqf properties is therefore essential for the well-being of the Muslim community. The BJP's campaign represents a significant opportunity to improve the management of Waqf properties in Rajasthan and ensure that they are used for the benefit of the Muslim community.
In conclusion, the BJP's ‘Waqf Sudhaar Janjagran Abhiyan’ in Rajasthan is a multifaceted initiative with significant political and social implications. It represents a concerted effort by the party to engage with the Muslim community, promote the Waqf Amendment Act, and address long-standing issues related to the management of waqf properties. The campaign's success will depend on its ability to build trust, counter misinformation, and ensure that the benefits of the Act reach the intended beneficiaries within the Muslim community. Moreover, the potential dissolution of the Rajasthan Waqf Board adds another layer of complexity to the situation, as it could lead to a shift in the balance of power in the management of waqf properties. The campaign is a strategic move by the BJP ahead of elections. The accusations of corruption by Congress leaders is politically calculated. Overall, the BJP's campaign is a complex undertaking with the potential to significantly impact the political landscape in Rajasthan and the lives of its Muslim citizens.
Source: BJP launches campaign to promote Waqf Amendment Act in Raj