The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 after a 13-hour discussion. The session witnessed mass uproar from the opposition parties, which labeled the bill "unconstitutional."
Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Lok Sabha Passes the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 After 13-Hour Discussion
The controversial waqf bill includes some major changes to the Waqf Act, 1995. The bill was first cleared by the Union Cabinet after a 655-page-long report on amendments suggested by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was approved through a majority of votes
The controversial bill includes some major changes to the Waqf Act, 1995. The bill was first cleared by the Union Cabinet after a 655-page-long report on amendments suggested by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was approved through a majority of votes. Only 11 MPs objected and submitted their dissenting opinions.
Under the new changes, the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in institutions such as the Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, and waqf tribunals will be made permanent.
While the JPC's amendments were recently approved by the Union Cabinet by majority voting in favor of the bill, names of the certain important Opposition leaders including Congress라이브 바카라 Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule, AAP라이브 바카라 Sanjay Singh and others opposed the bill and termed it “unconstitutional” and “divisive”.
As per a report by Hindustan Times, India owns the largest waqf holding in the world and it reportedly controls 8.7 lakh properties spanning 9.4 lakh acres across the country.
About The Bill
The objective of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is to redress the issues and challenges concerning regulation and managing of the Waqf properties. Defending the amendment move, the ministry of minority affairs said that the main purpose of the bill is to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
Centre earlier said that the bill seeks bring improvement in the overall administration process of the Waqf properties by means of technology-driven management to ensure transparency.
Alongside introducing modern technology, Centre claimed that the bill also aims to rename the Act, update the definitions of waqf, improve the registration process.
Among the major issues regarding Waqf Board in India are the lack of diversity in the constitution of the board, irrevocability of waqf properties, lack of judicial oversight, misuse of provisions among others.
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What Are The Major Features Of The Bill?
The 2025 amendment bill aims to change the name of the Waqf Act, 1995 to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act, 1995.
According to the bill, trusts created by Muslims under any law will no longer be considered Waqf, ensuring full control over the trusts.
As per the amended bill, only Muslims, who are practising the religion for at least five years, only can dedicate their property to Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
The bill also included a key change concerning the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in institutions such as Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, and waqf tribunals. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday mentioned in Lok Sabha that no non-Muslims will be included in the system.
Under this bill, the Centre will have the power to appoint three MPs - two from the Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha, without them requiring to be Muslims.
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The bill also allows the central government to make rules regarding registration, publication of accounts of waqf, and publication of proceedings of waqf boards.
Centre can also order an audit of the accounts of waqfs by the CAG or a designated officer.
The bill also proposes that an officer above the rank of collector will investigate government properties claimed as Waqf. In case of disputes, the senior government official will have the final say on whether a property belongs to Waqf or the government which currently is decided by Waqf tribunals.
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