He accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of doing vote bank politics and said that the old law led to the rise of some Muslim extremists, while ordinary Muslims remained poor and ignored.
New Delhi, April 8 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly criticised the old Waqf law passed in 2013, saying it was made to please Muslim extremists and land mafias, not to help common Muslims. He said the new Waqf law introduced by his government is a big step towards social justice and equality for all.
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Speaking at the News18’s Rising Bharat Summit, Modi said:
“The amendment to the Waqf law in 2013 was an attempt to please Muslim fundamentalists and land mafia. This law created an illusion that it was above the Constitution. The path to justice laid down in the Constitution was narrowed down by the Waqf law.”
He accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of doing vote bank politics and said that the old law led to the rise of some Muslim extremists, while ordinary Muslims remained poor and ignored.
“But, the moot question is what benefits did the ordinary Muslims get? What did the poor Pasmanda Muslims get? They were only subjected to neglect. They did not get education, they faced unemployment and Muslim women faced injustice like Shah Bano, where their constitutional rights were sacrificed at the altar of fundamentalism,”
Modi said that the appeasement policy of the Congress party not only affected the country’s progress but also played a major role in the Partition of India in 1947.
“A similar attitude led to the country’s partition in 1947 when Congress leaders did not wipe out the idea of a separate nation that was nursed by ‘some fundamentalists’ and not ordinary Muslims.”
He explained how the 2013 Waqf law created legal confusion and even tried to place Waqf properties above constitutional rights.
“This law emboldened land mafia and fundamentalists. In Kerala, the claims of Waqf on the land holdings of Christians; in Haryana, the land of gurdwaras was in dispute; and in Karnataka, there were claims on the lands of farmers,”
He said that instead of protecting the weak, the old law had become a reason for fear and disputes across religions and communities.
“This law created an illusion that it was above the Constitution.”
Praising the new Waqf Act passed during his government, Modi said:
“I congratulate Parliament for enacting a splendid law. Now, the pious intention of Waqf will be upheld and the rights of the poor Pasmanda Muslims, women and children will also be protected.”
He mentioned that the discussion on the new law was one of the longest parliamentary debates in Indian history.
“Discussions on the bill spanned 16 hours across both Houses, accompanied by 38 meetings of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), totalling 128 hours of deliberations. Nearly one crore suggestions were received from citizens across the country. This underscores that democracy is not limited to the walls of Parliament; it is being enriched and strengthened through active public participation,”
PM Modi also highlighted the achievements of his government in the first 100 days of 2025, saying:
“We have opened up new possibilities through our policies,”
He referred to new reforms that allow private companies to participate in sectors like space and nuclear energy. Despite global economic challenges, India’s economy has grown at a rapid pace.
“People who thought India would move slowly and steadily now see a fast and fearless India,”
He stressed that peace, security, and stability are necessary for fast development, and said that his government has successfully controlled terrorism and Naxalism.
He also spoke about the changes brought in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the government has acted with strong political will and sensitivity.
Finally, PM Modi said the youth of the country are the biggest strength and the foundation laid in these 100 days will help shape the future.
“The aspirations of the youth are reflected in the decisions of his government in these 100 days which have also laid a strong foundation for the future.”
What Is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025?
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 is a law that changes parts of the existing Waqf Act, 1995. The goal is to make the management of Waqf properties more efficient, transparent, and modern.
The original Waqf Act was made to regulate and manage Waqf properties – these are properties given for religious or charity purposes under Islamic law.
The Bill was first introduced in August 2024 and later sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which made some suggestions for changes.
Now, it has been officially passed by the Lok Sabha.
Key Changes Proposed in the Bill
- The Bill renames the original Act as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act to reflect a broader goal of better management.
- Earlier, any long-term use or endowment could be declared as Waqf. But now, only a person who has practiced Islam for at least five years and owns the property can declare it as waqf. This removes the earlier idea of “waqf by user.”
- It also ensures that waqf-alal-aulad (waqf for family) cannot deny inheritance rights to legal heirs, including women.
- The Bill removes the power of Waqf Boards to decide whether a property is Waqf or not.
- The original law required all members of the Central Waqf Council to be Muslims, but the Bill now says that two members must be non-Muslims. MPs, judges, and other experts appointed to the Council don’t have to be Muslims. However, Muslim scholars, leaders, and board chairpersons must be Muslims, and at least two of them must be women.
- The Central Government gets more power to make rules for registration and auditing of Waqf accounts and the functioning of Waqf Boards.
- Earlier, State governments could audit Waqf accounts. Now, the Central government can ask the CAG or other officers to do the audit.
- The Bill also allows for separate Waqf Boards not just for Sunni and Shia, but also for smaller sects like Aghakhani and Bohra.
- One big change is about legal disputes: Earlier, decisions made by Waqf Tribunals were final and couldn’t be challenged in regular courts. But now, these decisions can be appealed in High Courts within 90 days.
