NEW DELHI (Agencies): The Indian government’s recent move to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Parliament has sparked strong reactions from Muslim organizations and legal experts, who fear it could significantly alter the management of religious endowments and erode community rights.
Although the bill was formally introduced in 2024, much of the public and political debate is now unfolding in 2025, prompting widespread media reference to it as the Waqf Bill 2025. However, its official title remains the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The bill proposes several sweeping changes to the existing Waqf Act of 1995, including:
- Allowing the state government to take over waqf properties in certain cases.
- Increasing the powers of waqf boards to cancel or reassign properties.
- Imposing stricter audits and central oversight.
- Potential removal of the need for community consent in some decisions regarding waqf assets.
Several Muslim bodies and political groups have strongly opposed the bill, calling it an attempt to “interfere in religious affairs” and “seize control” of centuries-old endowments dedicated to Islamic charitable purposes. Critics argue:
- It threatens the autonomy of Waqf institutions.
- May lead to the commercialization or seizure of waqf lands.
Could disproportionately affect mosques, dargahs, madrasas, and institutions that rely on waqf property revenues.
The government has defended the bill as an effort to reform and modernize the management of waqf assets and prevent misuse or illegal occupation of properties. Officials insist the move is not targeting any religion and is aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability.
Several opposition parties have demanded that the bill be referred to a parliamentary standing committee for broader consultation. Legal experts warn that if passed without major amendments, it could lead to lengthy court battles and unrest among affected communities.
A nationwide debate is now underway, with calls for clarification, amendment, or even withdrawal of the legislation. Protests and press conferences have been held in multiple cities, and the issue is expected to dominate upcoming political discussions.