New Delhi [India], April 5 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party MP Eatala Rajendar on Saturday claimed that the 'poor people are welcoming the Waqf Bill,' as the properties under the religious board 'only benefit the influential,' as there have been multiple encroachments by the Waqf Board in Hyderabad, and surrounding areas.

'Waqf properties have been disputed here in Hyderabad for many years. Waqf properties are used by influential people and do not benefit poor.' There is a constituency having four Muslim villages, 40-50 years ago, in the Boduppal area (in Hyderabad), the real estate land which was for businessman, they had taken a bank loan, and permission, but Waqf Board came in and claimed for itself. Where will the people go? There are many areas like that,' the BJP MP told ANI.

Rajendar also highlighted another instance of the Waqf board allegedly claiming agricultural land in the Zahirabad constituency in the state.

'There is another constituency name Zahirabad; in it, there are 4 muslim villages; it has been there for over 100 years. They do farming there 4-5 years ago, Waqf claimed the land, where will the people go? There are many instances like that which need enforcement for poor people. The court cases which have been going on, now slowly hopefully it will get resolved,' he said.

Earlier on Friday (April 4), AIMIM chief Asaddudin Owaisi and Congress leader Mohammad Jawed separately challenged the bill after Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, also called the 'UMEED Bill', making it an act.

In his plea, Owaisi stated that the amended Bill 'irreversibly dilutes' the statutory protections afforded to Waqfs and their regulatory framework while conferring undue advantage upon other stakeholders and interest groups, undermining years of progress, and setting back Waqf management by several decades.

'Amendment Bill also takes away from Waqfs various protections which were accorded to Waqfs and Hindu, Jain, and Sikh religious and charitable endowments alike. This diminishing of the protection given to Waqfs while retaining them for religious and charitable endowments of other religions constitutes hostile discrimination against Muslims and violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion,' the plea stated.

'The amendments are also repugnant to the doctrine of non-retrogression of rights, which is firmly entrenched in our constitutional jurisprudence,' it added. (ANI)