On Wednesday (7th August), the Maharashtra government announced a major decision that it would build an International standard football stadium in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar on a ground that was occupied by the Waqf board. Official information to this effect was made public on Wednesday. As per reports, preparations are underway to convert this ground which was occupied by the Waqf Board into an international football stadium.
According to reports, the name of this ground is Amkhas Maidan and it is adjacent to Sambhaji city. For a long time, the Waqf Board had been staking its claim on this ground. But on Wednesday the Maharashtra government announced its decision to build an International standard football stadium. The decision was announced after the Ministers of the Maharashtra government held a meeting with the officials of the government.
The meeting was presided over by Minorities Development and Aukaf Minister Abdul Sattar. Maharashtra Sports Minister Sanjay Bansode was also present in the meeting. During the meeting, Abdul Sattar informed the administrative officials about his decision. He also directed the District Magistrate of Sambhaji Nagar to send the proposal to build an international football stadium at the Aamkhas Maidan to the Sports Department as soon as possible.
A district official publicly informed about his instructions on Wednesday. According to Abdul Sattar, this effort will help in taking the sports talent of Maharashtra to the national and global level. Sports Minister Sanjay Bansode also lauded this decision. He has assured that they will soon start work for the Stadium.
Previously, the Aamkhas Maidan was used to organise large gatherings. In 2018, Dawat-e-Islami had organised a large gathering on this ground and Maulvis and Maulanas from all over the country addressed a large crowd of lakhs of Muslims. AIMIM chief and MP, Asaduddin Owaisi, has also been holding his political rallies on this ground.
The announcement by the Maharashtra government comes on a day when the national media widely reported that the PM Modi-led Union government could table the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Parliament, this week.
As per reports, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to overhaul the legislations governing the functioning of Waqf boards. The proposed bill renames the Waqf Act (1995) as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. The draft wants to establish separate boards of Auqaf for Bohras and Aghakhanis. It also proposes broad-based representation for Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis and other backward classes among Muslim communities as well as including a few non-Muslims.
