Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 22 (ANI): Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Tuesday that the two main objectives of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill were to benefit the 'poor' Muslims and 'stop' the alleged looting and misuse of the Waqf property.

Kiren Rijiju also stressed that every inch of land should be put to use properly in a big country like India while detailing the reporters here about the approximate number of Waqf properties spanning across India.

Rijiju said, 'India is a big country and every inch of land in this country should be used properly. There should be no dispute in this. India has the most land as Waqf property in the world. More than 9 lakh 72 thousand Waqf properties are in India but it is not being used for the poor Muslims. Its misuse and looting by occupying the property are matters of concern. So when we amended the land bill, our two main objectives were to benefit the poor Muslims and to stop the looting and misuse of the property...'

Earlier in the day, Kiren Rijiju met and addressed the general public in Mumbai under the Waqf Reform Public Awareness Campaign.

Earlier, in an interview with ANI, Rijiju said Waqf land is not being 'utilised' for the benefit of vast sections of Muslim community and that 'some powerful' people are misusing it.

'Large section of the Muslim community is wholeheartedly welcoming this Act. The requirement for change in the Waqf Act, the necessary amendments we have made, are in fact suggested by the committees which were formed during the Congress time. If you see 1976 Wafq inquiry report, the Sachar Committee report, K Rehman Khan report, they all have talked about (carrying out) the management of the Waqf property in much more efficient, transparent, and accountable manner. That is exactly what we have done it. Waqf properties in India are the largest Waqf properties in the world...And despite having the largest Waqf properties in the world, how come these properties are not being utilised for the welfare of the Muslim community,' Rijiju said earlier.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively, was passed in both Houses and later received the President's assent on April 5, after which it became law. (ANI)