President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Waqf (Modification) Bill, 2025, which was handed by each Homes of Parliament following intense debates. The laws, aimed toward curbing misuse and encroachments on Waqf properties, has triggered vital backlash, with a number of opposition events and Muslim organisations difficult its provisions in court docket.
Based on the official Gazette notification, the Waqf (Modification) Act, 2024, introduces a number of structural reforms, together with:
- Necessary illustration of Pasmanda and poor Muslims on State Waqf Boards.
- Stricter provisions for the registration, safety, and utilisation of Waqf properties.
- Time-bound disposal of encroachment instances via particular Waqf Tribunals.
- Audit and accountability mechanisms, making annual audits of Waqf Boards obligatory with experiences to be submitted to the State Authorities.
- A bar on “unverified or fraudulent registration” of properties as Waqf.
The Act amends a number of sections of the Waqf Act, 1995, particularly Part 14 and Part 32, to increase the composition of Waqf Boards and strengthen oversight.
The Gazette additional notes that the modification goals to “convey transparency within the administration of waqf properties, safeguard the curiosity of the real waqf beneficiaries, and be sure that marginalised Muslim communities are given correct illustration.”
Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Bill and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal mentioned, “A historic invoice has been handed. The poor and Pasmanda Muslims will massively profit from it… Some persons are making an attempt to mislead the individuals… Poor and Pasmanda Muslims will get illustration within the Waqf Board… The invoice could be very clear… The properties of the Waqf have been being misused and the poor have been disadvantaged of its advantages.”
#WATCH | Lucknow, UP | On the Waqf (Modification) Bill, Chairman of the JPC of Waqf (Modification) Bill and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal says, “A historic invoice has been handed. The poor and pasmanda muslims will massively profit from it…Some persons are making an attempt to mislead the individuals…Poor and… pic.twitter.com/3BV4eJH9jq
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2025
Whereas the federal government hailed the modification as a step in the direction of inclusivity and reform, opposition events and a few Muslim organisations have raised issues, alleging that the legislation would possibly result in centralisation and politicisation of spiritual trusts.
AAP, AIMIM, Congress, RJD Leaders Transfer Supreme Court docket In opposition to Waqf Modification
Leaders from the Aam Aadmi Celebration (AAP), Congress, and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) have filed separate petitions within the Supreme Court docket questioning the constitutional validity of the brand new legislation. AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan argued in his petition that the Bill violates Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, and 300-A of the Structure, alleging that it curtails non secular and cultural autonomy, allows arbitrary govt interference, and undermines minority rights.
Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, a former member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Bill, additionally moved the highest court docket. He alleged that the legislation imposes “arbitrary restrictions” on the administration of Waqf properties and discriminates towards the Muslim neighborhood by imposing constraints not relevant to different non secular endowments.
The petition, filed via advocate Anas Tanwir, contended that the Bill’s provisions, significantly these proscribing the creation of Waqfs based mostly on the length of spiritual follow, lack any foundation in Islamic legislation or custom and infringe upon the correct to spiritual freedom beneath Article 25.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi additionally filed a separate plea via advocate Lzafeer Ahmad, stating that the laws “diminishes the authorized protections granted to Waqfs” whereas retaining these for Hindu, Jain, and Sikh non secular endowments. He additional objected to the appointment of non-Muslims to the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, claiming it infringes upon the rights of Muslims to handle their non secular affairs.
In the meantime, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Tejashwi Yadav confirmed on Saturday that his celebration had additionally approached the Supreme Court docket towards the controversial legislation.
The All India Muslim Private Law Board (AIMPLB) declared the Bill a “extreme assault on Islamic values, faith and Shariah, non secular and cultural freedom, communal concord and the foundational construction of the Indian Structure.” In an announcement issued on Saturday, the Board criticised political events supporting the Bill, accusing them of exposing their “so-called secular facade” by aligning with what it referred to as the Bharatiya Janata Celebration’s (BJP) “communal agenda”.
The AIMPLB additionally introduced plans to launch a nationwide marketing campaign in collaboration with non secular, community-based, and social organisations. “The target is to safe an entire rollback,” the Board mentioned, whereas urging Muslims, significantly youth, to keep up calm and keep away from emotionally charged actions that might be misused by sectarian components.
“He [Board secretary] urged them to not take any motion pushed by feelings that may present alternatives for sectarian and disruptive forces,” the assertion added.
AIMPLB Basic Secretary Maulana Mohammed Fazlurrahim Mujaddidi outlined the protest technique throughout a gathering of Board officers and particular invitees. He mentioned the motion would come with authorized efforts within the Supreme Court docket in addition to peaceable democratic protests like carrying black armbands, conducting roundtable discussions, and holding press briefings.
In a Friday press launch, the AIMPLB additionally mentioned it had sought an “pressing appointment” with President Droupadi Murmu to specific its “deep concern” over the newly enacted legislation. The Board referred to as the modification “totally unconstitutional” and described it as an “assault on the Muslims of the nation”. The Basic Secretary’s letter acknowledged that the act “requires severe reconsideration as they’re inconsistent with the basic rights assured beneath the Structure of India.”
The Parliament handed the Waqf (Modification) Bill, 2025, after a 13-hour debate within the Rajya Sabha, the place 128 members voted in favour and 95 towards. The Lok Sabha had earlier cleared the Bill with 288 votes in help and 232 opposed. The ruling Nationwide Democratic Alliance (NDA) has maintained that the laws is just not anti-Muslim and is aimed toward defending Waqf properties from misuse and encroachment.
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