Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will re-introduce the contentious WAQF amendment bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha today, April 2. The Bill amends the Waqf Act, 1995 which governs the management of Waqf properties in India.
The Bill proposes sweeping changes. It empowers Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government to ‘handle issues and challenges in regulating and dealing with Waqf properties. It seeks to improve the management and management of Waqf houses in India, the government says. Rijiju first delivered the Bill in August last year, after which it became mentioned a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. On February 27, the JPC cleared 14 amendments moved by the individuals of the BJP or its allies.
What WAQF amendment bill state about Waqf Properties
In India, numerous homes fall under Waqf, which consists of mosques, Eidgahs, dargahs, khanqahs, imambaras, and qabristans (graveyards), amongst others. Waqf homes are donated by fans of Islam and are managed by contributors to the community. Each state has a Waqf Board, which is a legal entity that could gather, store, and change properties. Waqf properties can’t be bought or leased completely.
Land Manage by Waqf Board
Waqf forums currently manage 8.7 lakh properties. It spans 9.4 lakh acres in India with an anticipated fee of ₹1.2 lakh crores, as per data. India has the most important Waqf keeping in the world. Further, the Waqf Board is the most important landowner in India after the Armed Forces and the Indian Railways.
There are 8,72,328 immovable and 16,713 movable properties registered under the Waqf Board. There are also 3,56,051 Waqf Estates registered under the WAQF amendment bill. The government says the 1995 law has a few loopholes regarding regulating Waqf houses, identify disputes, and the illegal profession of Waqf land. Other predominant issues flagged by government are restrained diversity in the constitution of Waqf Boards. It misuse of strength by Mutawallis, loss of effective coordination with local revenue authorities, and sweeping power to Waqf Boards for claiming properties ensuing in disputes and litigation to name few.
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