Sikhs can no longer build mosques in Punjab

A recent incident in Punjab’s Malerkotla district showcased an extraordinary example of communal harmony. Sukhjinder Singh Noni, a Sikh and former village head of Umarpura, along with his brother Avninder Singh, donated 5.5 hectares of prime agricultural land to build a mosque. This generous act was a testament to the strong bonds between Sikh and Muslim communities in the region.

Sukhjinder’s words echoed the sentiment: “About 30 percent of our village’s population is Muslim, and they didn’t have a mosque. My brother and I decided to donate the land to fulfill our duty towards them.” Many Sikhs in the village joined in, with Tejwant Singh and Ravinder Singh Grewal contributing financially. The Shahi Imam of Punjab, Muhammad Usman Rahman Ludhianvi, laid the foundation stone for the mosque on January 12.

This incident is not an isolated one. According to Shahbaz Ahmed Zahoor, leader of Idara Masajid, an organization supporting mosque construction and maintenance in Punjab, there have been around 200 instances of Sikh families donating land for mosques across the state.

However, the newly passed Waqf Amendment Bill may hinder such communal harmony efforts. The bill stipulates that only Muslims who have practiced Islam for at least five years can donate land or property for religious or charitable purposes. This provision effectively prevents non-Muslims, like the Sikh families in Punjab, from contributing to mosque construction or maintenance.

Critics argue that this bill undermines the secular principles of India’s constitution and marginalizes Muslim communities. The bill’s provisions, such as allowing non-Muslims to be part of Waqf boards but not contribute to Waqf endowments, have been labeled as ironic and discriminatory.

Moreover, the bill requires donors to “prove that they have been practicing Islam for at least five years.” This raises questions about who has the authority to issue such certificates and how one’s faith can be measured. The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, allowing individuals to adopt a religion of their choice without needing to prove it.

The management of Waqf institutions, as defined, should remain within the Muslim community. Similarly, Hindu temple trusts and boards are managed exclusively by Hindus. The new bill’s provisions seem to deviate from this principle, sparking concerns about discrimination and marginalization. For instance, the Vaishno Devi and Amarnath boards have laws requiring the head to be a Hindu, and the Lieutenant Governor must appoint a qualified Hindu person if they are not of the Hindu faith.

In light of these developments, the future of communal harmony initiatives, like those in Punjab, remains uncertain. Will the government reconsider the bill’s provisions to promote inclusivity and secularism? Only time will tell.

Mujeeb Rahman Kinalur is author and cultural critique based in Calicut, Kerala