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The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was cleared by both Houses of Parliament this week after two days of marathon debates. The legislation seeks to stop misuse of Waqf properties.
The Waqf Amendment Bill was cleared by the Parliament this week. (File Pic)
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was cleared by both Houses of the Parliament this week after two days of marathon debates, got President Droupadi Murmu’s approval on Saturday, which means it will now officially become a law.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to alter the functioning of the Waqf board and properties, was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 opposing it, following a 13-hour debate going past midnight. It was cleared in the Lok Sabha in a 288-232 vote after a 12-hour debate.
As per the order, the legislation will be called the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The word “Waqf” would be substituted by “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development” (UMEED).
The Waqf Amendment Bill proposes an amendment to the 1995 Act with the goal of improving the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. It aims to address the limitations of the earlier legislation, improve the efficiency of Waqf boards, simplify the registration process, and introduce technology to better manage Waqf records.
Under this law, no one should create a waqf unless he is the lawful owner of the property and competent to transfer or dedicate such property. The creation of waqf should not result in denial of inheritance rights of heirs, including women and those with rightful claims.
Meanwhile, protests have broken out in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, condemning the legislation. Muslim groups in Delhi also held protests against the passage of the bill, prompting strict security measures in the national capital.
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district have issued notices against 24 people for protesting against the Bill by wearing black badges. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) also announced that it will soon initiate nationwide protests and legal action against the Waqf Bill.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Amanatullah Khan, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress have challenged the law in Supreme Court with separate petitions. Five JD(U) leaders left Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s party, tendering their resignation over party support for the bill.
However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the passage of the bill as a “watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice” and said it would help people who had been marginalised for a long time. He said the existing Waqf system harmed the interests of Muslim women, poor, and Pasmanda Muslims.
