New Delhi: Indian lawmakers are locked in a heated debate over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, a controversial proposal that seeks to change the governance of properties donated by Indian Muslims over centuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government argues the bill will enhance transparency in managing waqf properties, but opposition parties and Muslim groups see it as an attempt to weaken constitutional protections for the country’s largest religious minority.
Parliamentary Battle Over the Bill
The bill, which introduces multiple amendments to the existing Waqf Act, was first introduced in August 2023 but faced stiff resistance, leading to its referral to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC).
After months of deliberation, the revised version presented by Federal Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju incorporates 25 changes suggested by the divided committee, which included opposition lawmakers.
The legislation needs a majority of 272 votes in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, to pass. Despite opposition from the Congress party and other groups, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition is expected to have sufficient votes to push it through.
If cleared by the Lok Sabha, the bill will move to the Rajya Sabha, or upper house, for further debate. A final presidential assent would then be required before it becomes law.
Moved two significant bills in the Lok Sabha today – The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 & The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, for consideration and passing. @MOMAIndia @sansad_tv#Parliament #BudgetSession2025 pic.twitter.com/LOEa7PDpdQ
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) April 2, 2025
Opposition and Minority Concerns
Critics argue that the bill grants the government excessive power over waqf properties, which include mosques, madrassas, shelter homes, and vast tracts of land donated for religious and charitable purposes. In Islamic tradition, waqf properties are considered divine endowments that cannot be sold or repurposed.
“There are 872,351 waqf properties spanning over 940,000 acres across India, with an estimated value of 1.2 trillion rupees ($14.22 billion), making waqf boards among the largest landholders in the country,” Rijiju stated in parliament.
However, opposition leaders insist the bill threatens the integrity of waqf laws. “This is an unconstitutional and divisive agenda by the Modi government,” said Congress MP and opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge. Muslim groups fear the amendments could pave the way for the seizure of waqf properties.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 brings significant revisions to the Waqf Act, 1995, with a focus on enhancing governance, ensuring transparency, and promoting inclusivity in Waqf management.
Here are the key changes: pic.twitter.com/7DviJ6tGEW
— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) April 2, 2025
Key Provisions
One of the most debated provisions of the bill is the proposal to induct two non-Muslim members onto waqf boards, which oversee these properties.
Critics argue that religious institutions run by non-Muslims do not permit individuals from other faiths in their administration, making this amendment unfairly targeted at Muslim endowments.
Another controversial aspect is the government’s authority to determine whether a property qualifies as waqf, a move that opponents say could be misused to take control of key assets.
Moving the bill in parliament, Rijiju accused opposition parties of misleading the public. “The amendments incorporate key recommendations from the JPC. We are not taking away any rights; we are ensuring better management and accountability,” he said.
Despite government assurances, opposition members claim that the JPC prioritized amendments favored by the BJP while rejecting proposals from opposition lawmakers. As debates continue, the fate of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, remains uncertain.
