New Delhi, April 3, 2025
The Waqf Amendment Bill, a significant piece of legislation aimed at reforming the management of Waqf properties, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday by Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju. In his address, Rijiju stated that the bill, after extensive discussions, had been sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for review. He emphasized that no committee had conducted as much work as the JPC had on this bill. Rijiju also mentioned that the bill had been passed in the Lok Sabha earlier that morning following over 12 hours of debate.
The Waqf Amendment Bill seeks to address long-standing issues related to the management and transparency of Waqf properties, which are often a source of controversy. The bill was first presented in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, where it was passed after an intense and prolonged debate. The vote, which took place at 2 a.m., saw 520 MPs participate, with 288 in favor and 232 against.
Rijiju addressed past reforms, referencing committees formed during the tenure of the Congress-led UPA government, including the Sachar Committee and other recommendations related to Waqf management. He stressed that the current government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, had the courage to bring forward the necessary reforms that previous administrations had failed to implement. Rijiju expressed hope that the opposition would support the bill, framing it as a continuation of historic changes rather than a radical shift.
Political and Public Reactions
The passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha and its introduction in the Rajya Sabha sparked sharp political reactions. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi, a vocal critic of the bill, tore a copy of the document in protest during the debate. Owaisi claimed that the bill aimed to humiliate Muslims, likening the act to a symbolic gesture of protest in the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi. During the debate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attempted to calm concerns, clarifying that the bill would not allow non-Muslims to manage Waqf properties and accused the opposition of spreading fear among minorities for political gain.
The Waqf Amendment Bill has also provoked widespread opposition from various political figures. Congress President Sonia Gandhi condemned the bill, alleging that it was passed “forcefully” in the Lok Sabha and was part of a broader strategy by the BJP to dismantle the constitutional framework of India. Gandhi accused the government of undermining the nation’s democratic values, particularly by pursuing policies like the “One Nation, One Election” bill.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, have criticized the government’s approach, with Stalin announcing that his party would challenge the bill in the Supreme Court, citing constitutional concerns. Additionally, other regional leaders like Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav have raised national security issues, particularly focusing on the alleged encroachment of Chinese villages on Indian territory, suggesting that the government is diverting attention from this critical issue by focusing on the Waqf Bill.
The Waqf Bill: Intent and Impact
The Waqf Amendment Bill, introduced as the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UWM-EED), aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties, which have been plagued by mismanagement and inefficiency. The bill seeks to digitize records of over 9.4 lakh acres of Waqf property across India, potentially increasing their income from a meager 163 crore INR to over 12,000 crore INR if managed more efficiently. The government has claimed that the reforms are designed to empower Waqf boards and ensure that their resources are used effectively for the welfare of the Muslim community.
In his address, Rijiju pointed out that the Waqf Act of 1954, which established state-level Waqf boards, had undergone several amendments over the years, including the comprehensive reform of 1995. He acknowledged that previous governments, including the UPA, had failed to make necessary changes to address systemic problems in the Waqf system. He also mentioned that over a million suggestions had been received from various stakeholders, leading to substantial revisions in the original draft of the bill, which was first introduced in August 2024.
Rijiju’s remarks were aimed at reinforcing the legitimacy of the amendments, claiming that the new bill would protect Muslim interests while improving the management of Waqf assets. He stated that these assets would remain under Muslim control, emphasizing that the reforms were not intended to favor non-Muslims in the management of religious properties.
Opposition Concerns and Criticism
However, opposition parties have raised multiple concerns about the bill. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge denied accusations made by BJP MP Anurag Thakur, who had claimed that Kharge was involved in corrupt practices related to Waqf land in Karnataka. Kharge responded by challenging Thakur to prove the allegations or resign from his post. The exchanges highlighted the deepening political divide over the bill.
Opposition parties have also criticized the bill for allegedly weakening constitutional principles and for the potential sidelining of minority interests. Several members of the DMK and Congress have called the bill unconstitutional, while others, like JDU MP Rajeev Ranjan Singh, have rejected claims that the bill was anti-Muslim. Singh argued that the Waqf system was meant to serve all sections of society and that the reform was necessary to ensure equitable management.
As the Waqf Amendment Bill moves through the legislative process, its passage in the Rajya Sabha remains uncertain, given the strong opposition it faces. The government insists that the bill is in the best interest of the nation, especially the Muslim community, by bringing much-needed reforms to a long-neglected system. However, the bill’s controversial nature and the fierce political opposition suggest that this will be a defining issue in the ongoing political discourse in India.
While the government’s intentions behind the bill might be framed as an effort to improve Waqf management and uplift the community, the political fallout and legal challenges that lie ahead could have far-reaching implications for both the political landscape and the future of Waqf governance in India.
