What is WAQF Bill? The recent issues of the WAQF Bill, 2025
👉 What is WAQF Bill?
The Waqf Bill is a bill (bill) that the government creates for management, conservation and monitoring of Waqf properties. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was amended in India to amend the Waqf Act, 1995 to protect Waqf properties and use them properly.
The recent issues of the WAQF Bill (which have recently been amended in 2025) remain quite controversial. The objective of this bill is to improve the 1995 WAQF Act, increase transparency and improve the management of WAQF properties. However, many provisions of this are being expressed serious concern in both the Muslim community and the opposition. The major issues regarding the WAQF Bill are highlighted in detail:
👉 The basic objective and major changes of the WAQF bill
Transparency and accountability:
The government says that transparency will be brought in WAQF management by digitizing the record of WAQF property from the bill, improving investigation and reducing corruption.
Changes in the structure of the WAQF board:
Now there is a provision to compulsorily include non-Muslim members in the Central WAQF Council and the State WAQF Board.
- Its purpose is being said that it will help to diversify the administration and monitor administrative functioning.
Strike 'WAQF by User' provision:
The bill has abolished the traditional "WAQF by User" (where a property was considered a property based on religious use without written papers for centuries). This poses a danger of changing status of the historical mosques, tricks, and other religious places which were traditionally recognized on the basis of frequent use.
Transfer of administrative powers:
- The responsibilities of the survey commissioner appointed in the first WAQF Act have now been given to the District Collector or senior officer enrolled by him.
- This has led to an apprehension that the possibility of political intervention in the administrative decision will increase and in deciding the ownership of controversial properties, the government official's discretion will increase from the traditional judicial process.
👉 Protests and concerns
Attack on religious autonomy:
- Many Muslim organizations and opposition parties believe that WAQF is a religious and social obligation, which only Muslims should operate.
-The involvement of non-Muslim members may endanger its legacy and religious autonomy of the Muslim community.
Opposition leaders have described it as "unconstitutional" and "divisive", arguing that this does not happen in boards (such as temple or gurudwaras) under other religious.
Risk of historical properties:
- Many historical mosques, doors and religious places do not have written documents as they were recognized oral or traditionally for centuries.
- With the removal of "WAQF by User" provision, such assets can now be declared controversial and there is a danger of the District Collector being reconstructed as "government property".
- There is a fear of damaging the historical heritage and religious places of the Muslim community.
Increase in government control:
- Transfer of administrative powers will increase the dominance of controlled officers of the state, which will reduce the freedom and autonomy of WAQF boards.
- This step indicates more government monitoring and potential government acquisition on Muslim properties, which the Muslim community is strongly opposing as "violation of cultural rights".
Legal challenge and protests:
- Congress MPs and organizations like AIMIM have filed a legal challenge in the Supreme Court (example: Congress MP Mohammad Javed and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi have fought the case in the Supreme Court).
- Large -scale protests and mass movements are also being organized, where the Muslim community is performing with slogans of "Save their legacy from WAQF".
👉 Results and future challenges
Constitutional dispute:
- Opposition argues that this bill attacks religious autonomy and it can go against Article 26 of the Constitution (Religious communities right to run their institution).
Uneven policies:
- The question arises that if similar changes are not being made in the boards of temples or other religious institutions, then only why this is being implemented on the WAQF board.
Fear of grabbing improvement vs. property:
- The government says that this bill will reduce corruption, but many critics believe that this step will subdue Muslim properties and endanger their real utility.
👉 The recent issues of the WAQF Bill (in brief)
There is a risk of increasing dispute over property ownership by removing traditional provisions (eg Waqf by User),
There is a danger of political intervention due to centralized administrative powers, and the inclusion of non-Muslim members raises questions on the religious autonomy and heritage of the Muslim community.
Muslim organizations and opposition have described it as unconstitutional and divisive, while the government considers it an attempt to transparency and better management. Now, this matter is under the circle of Supreme Court and Comprehensive Public Opposition, which can lead to further debate on the impact and implementation of this bill in the coming days.
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