Dissolved Delhi Waqf Board since 1 Year Leaves Imams, Employees, Widows Financially Strained
Abdullah Salam
NEW DELHI – A dire situation has gripped the Delhi Waqf Board, with employees including Imams, muezzins and staff members facing significant financial distress due to prolonged delays in receiving their salaries and stipends. The board remained dissolved on August 26, 2023, after its 5-year term expired. Imams, muezzins, Madrasa Aliya employees, staff members, and widows are struggling to make ends meet as they have not received their salaries, stipends, and financial assistance for 15 to 24 months due to the dysfunction of the Delhi Waqf Board.
Ashwani Kumar was appointed as the interim administrator on January 10, 2024, but his appointment has been challenged in the High Court. Kumar, the secretary (Home) under the Lieutenant Governor (LG), was appointed as both the Administrator of the Delhi Waqf Board and the head of the Delhi Religious Committee. This committee recommended the removal of several prominent waqf properties over the past year.
Prolonged Dissolution Raises Concerns
The prolonged dissolution of the Delhi Waqf Board since August 2023 has raised concerns among stakeholders, who argue that the Board should have been reconstituted within six months as per the law. Experts asserted that dissolving the board for such a long period violates the Waqf Act, which mandates that the board should function continuously, with new members replacing those who retire. They criticized the government for not reconstituting the board simply because caretakers (mutwalli) elections have not been conducted.
Waqf Fund Misallocation Allegations
Reports reveal that the Waqf fund, intended to provide financial assistance to those in need, including madrasas, widows, the disabled, and the needy, is being misallocated. Instead of disbursing funds to deserving individuals, the Waqf fund is reportedly being utilized to cover legal fees incurred in cases where the Board’s legal representation allegedly fails to protect the interests of Waqf mosques in court.
Employees Facing Hardship
The ramifications of this financial mismanagement are far-reaching, with employees of the Delhi Waqf Board facing immense hardship. Approximately 128 employees have not received their salaries for several months, leaving them grappling with financial insecurity and uncertainty about their future.
Calls for Intervention and Accountability
Social activists and concerned citizens have voiced their dismay over the situation, urging authorities to take swift action to address the crisis. Inam Khan, a prominent activist, emphasized the urgency of the matter, particularly with the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival. He appealed to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to intervene and ensure the prompt release of salaries and allowances owed to Waqf Board personnel.
Mohammed Ahmed, a social activist, raised concerns about the apparent inaction on the part of authorities, alleging that the central government’s agenda may be driving the neglect of the Delhi Waqf Board. He warned of the potential consequences of allowing the Board to remain inactive, fearing that it could pave the way for its eventual abolition.
Shakeel Ahmed, representing the affected imams and muezzins, highlighted the plight faced by those reliant on their salaries for sustenance. He underscored the importance of immediate intervention from Delhi’s leadership to alleviate their suffering and address the underlying issues plaguing the Waqf Board.
An RTI activist criticized the systemic failures within the Delhi Waqf Board, citing the repeated disregard for court orders to release salaries. He condemned the alleged misuse of the Waqf fund and called for transparency and accountability in its management.
As the Eid al-Adha festival approaches next month, stakeholders are urging swift action to alleviate the financial burden faced by Delhi Waqf Board employees. The onus lies on authorities to address the grievances of imams, muezzins, and staff members, ensuring their rightful entitlements are promptly disbursed and their dignity restored.