The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is set to be reintroduced in Parliament’s ongoing Budget session, despite opposition protests, with Home Minister Amit Shah assuring its alignment with constitutional principles.
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NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has confirmed that the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will be reintroduced in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament, despite continued protests from various Muslim groups and opposition parties.
Speaking to the Media on March 28, Shah reassured that
“the bill would not infringe upon Muslim rights and emphasized that the government’s amendments were aligned with constitutional principles”
The Budget session, currently in its second phase, is set to conclude on April 4, leaving only four business days for deliberation and passage of pending legislative matters.
What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill?
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill seeks to revise certain provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995, which governs the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
Waqf refers to
“a religious endowment in Islamic law, where property is dedicated for charitable or religious purposes and managed by a waqf board”
The key objectives of the amendment bill include:
- Transparency and Regulation – The bill proposes stricter regulations to prevent the misuse of waqf properties and ensure better accountability in their management.
- Dispute Resolution – It introduces new mechanisms for resolving disputes related to waqf properties, potentially reducing litigation.
- Land Encroachment Prevention – The government aims to curb illegal occupation of waqf properties and ensure their proper utilization.
- Alignment with Constitutional Provisions – The amendment seeks to remove provisions that the government claims were introduced due to political appeasement and not in line with constitutional values.
The bill was first introduced in August 2024 and subsequently referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed examination. The JPC, after extensive discussions, submitted a 655-page report earlier this month.
Government’s Stand: No Threat to Muslim Rights
Addressing concerns raised by opposition leaders and religious groups, Shah asserted that the amendments were necessary to rectify discrepancies in the existing Waqf Act, which he claimed were a result of political appeasement by previous governments.
“The opposition is deliberately spreading misinformation. There is no threat to the rights of Muslims. The changes we propose are within the constitutional framework,”
Amit Shah stated.
He further accused opposition parties, particularly the Congress, of using the Waqf Act for political gains and misleading the Muslim community.
Opposition’s Criticism and Nationwide Protests
The Congress party has strongly opposed the amendments, with its MP Mohammad Jawed criticizing the BJP-led government for allegedly stoking communal tensions. He warned that the proposed changes to the Waqf Act could push the country “towards civil strife.”
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has also been a vocal critic of the bill.
He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of
“targeting mosques and dargahs through legislative bullets.”
Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) spearheaded a mass protest, calling for Muslim worshippers across the country to wear black armbands during the final Friday prayers of Ramadan as a sign of dissent.
Legal Recourse and Government’s Justification
Shah acknowledged the ongoing protests but maintained that the amendments were essential for streamlining the governance of waqf properties and eliminating ambiguities in the existing law. He reiterated that any legal concerns regarding the bill could be addressed through judicial channels.
“Every citizen has the right to protest. However, if the bill is unconstitutional, it can always be challenged in court,”
he said.
Union Cabinet’s Approval and JPC Recommendations
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill received approval from the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, after incorporating recommendations from the JPC. The committee, led by BJP leader Jagdambika Pal, proposed 14 key amendments, all of which were adopted by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) members.
With the government pushing for its swift passage, all eyes are now on Parliament, where the bill will be tabled in the remaining days of the Budget session. Whether it will sail through or face further hurdles remains to be seen.
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