29 October, 2024;In a recent meeting with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) concerning the Waqf Amendment Bill, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Waqf Board, Shadab Shams, conveyed critical issues pertinent to the Waqf Act and urged that these points be incorporated into the new amendments. Shams articulated that several aspects within the Waqf Amendment Bill require attention for the broader interest of the country, stating, “Yesterday, we presented our issues to the JPC – to involve some things in the Waqf amendment bill… We have raised many issues which we felt important for the country.”
As a representative of the Waqf Board, Shams emphasized the need for the committee to address these specific issues and incorporate them into the amendment to align the bill with national interests and the evolving needs of Waqf properties and management across India.
Transitioning to a broader national issue, Shams also addressed the topic of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), expressing his firm support for its implementation in Uttarakhand. Lauding the efforts of the state’s young Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Shams remarked on the significant steps taken toward the UCC, which he views as a landmark change for India. “UCC is a new image of rising India. It was not easy to implement UCC, but the young CM Pushkar Singh Dhami committed and took it to his heart that no matter what happens, we will implement the UCC. I salute him,” he stated.
The UCC seeks to establish a unified legal framework that applies equally to all citizens, regardless of religion, which advocates argue will lead to a more equitable society. Chief Minister Dhami’s dedication to implementing the UCC has been met with support from various quarters, including Shams, who sees the UCC as reflective of an evolving India. Shams’ remarks highlight the significance of both the Waqf Amendment Bill and the UCC, underscoring his commitment to policies that, in his view, will strengthen both the Waqf community and the nation at large.
