Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: The Waqf amendment bill was presented again in the Lok Sabha on April 2, 2025, by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju after incorporating the recommendations of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) from August, 2024. After an intense heated 12 hour debate between opposition and the ruling party, the bill was finally cleared in the Lok Sabha upon voting. This Waqf amendment bill will now move to Rajya Sabha for an almost 8 hour long debate before final approvals.
The bill claims to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency of waqf property management and administration. Let’s examine the details of the amendments in this short article.
What is Waqf
According to the Waqf Act, 1995, a waqf is a permanent dedication by any person, of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable. It simply means that it is the transfer of a property by any person for any religious use permanently.
Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: These properties are managed and controlled by the respective Waqf Boards, with oversight administration from Central and State Government through Waqf Council. Waqf properties are usually used for the purpose of mosques, graveyards or a choultry (musafirkhana).
What is Waqf Amendment Bill
The Waqf Bill in Parliament was introduced by Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. After a long debate with the opposition, the voting finally came in the favour of the bill. The bill introduced several changes aimed at enhancing the management of waqf properties in India.
The following proposed amendments are more likely to be introduced in the existing bill:
Inclusion of Non-Muslim Members
The Waqf amendment bill 2025 mandates inclusion of at least non-Muslim members in both Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards aiming to promote diversity in composition of management of waqf properties.
Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: In the Central Waqf Council, the bill proposes to nominate two members from Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha, without requiring them to be muslims. The bill also mandates the appointment of two non-muslim members in the Waqf Boards at least along with a non-muslim Chief Executive Officer.
Retention of ‘Waqf by User’ for existing religious properties only
There are properties such as mosques, shrines, graveyards or other religious sites which were built on waqf lands without any formal documentation. It is because the earlier version of the bill has abolished the concept of ‘Waqf by User’.
■ Also Read: Reforming the Waqf Act: An Overview of the JPC Report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Waqf amendment bill proposes that the properties registered on or before law’s enactment shall retain their status unless disputed as a government property. It ensures that the law would not demolish the existing buildings. Otherwise ‘Waqf by User’ is solely applicable for only those properties which are on prolonged use for religious purposes only.
Also, a person practicing Islam for more than 5 years can declare only a self owned property to be Waqf.
Amendment in Composition of Waqf Tribunal
As per the Waqf amendment bill, the composition of Waqf tribunal members is expanded from a two-member to a three-member body. Each tribunal shall include a district judge, a joint secretary-level officer from the state government, and an expert in Muslim law.
Investigation of Government Property
Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: The Waqf amendment bill proposes to designate senior officials as the final decision makers in case of disputed government properties. The decision shall be taken after the final report submitted by the official. If the officer finds a property belonging to the government, then he should update it in the records, so that necessary action can be taken. It abolished the need for Waqf Tribunals.
Judicial Intervention
The waqf amendment bill proposes to include judicial powers in the law by allowing judicial intervention to waqf properties by appealing directly to the high court within 90 days, reducing the need of Waqf Tribunals.
Registration of Waqf Properties
The Waqf amendment bill mandates the registration of all waqf properties on a central portal. It also directs to upload the details of existing waqf properties within 6 months of law enactment. However, the tribunals enjoy the right to extend the timeline, if appropriate. Additionally, any new waqf property shall be registered through the online portal only.
Application of Limitation Act, 1963
The bill seeks to apply Section 107 of Limitations Act, 1963 to waqf properties, which was absent from the bill’s previous versions. The section allows Waqf Boards to reclaim the properties even after the period of 12 years.
12 Hours of Heated Debate in Lok Sabha
The Waqf amendment bill has faced significant opposition from various Muslim organisations and opposition parties. It has sparked massive controversy and criticism in the Lok Sabha. The intense debate lasted for almost 12 hours and the bill was finally cleared by voting in the Lok Sabha. 288 votes were in favour of the bill while 232 were against the bill.
Waqf Amendment Bill 2025: Opposition critics argue that inclusion of non-Muslim members can undermine the autonomy of the community and board. Few raised concerns about lack of adequate consultation from Muslim stakeholders for introduction of the Waqf amendment bill.
Ruling party representatives including Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Kiren Rijiju and others answered the queries. Let’s see their reactions through the following tweets:
- The Union Minister Kiren Rijiju thanked all the members and claimed that this bill totally aligns with the constitution.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah explains that this bill does not interfere with the religious practices of muslim brothers.
- Shri Amit Shah also claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled Lalu Prasad Yadav’s wishes for enacting strict laws against the amendments made in 2013.
- The reaction of Shri Anurag Thakur and Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske.
- People also came on streets to support this Waqf amendment bill and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Land or Liberation?
The Waqf amendment bill 2025 aims to regulate religious lands in a more organised manner so as to minimise its misuse. But in reality the true purpose of our human birth transcends material possessions over lands and assets, instead it is attained only by seeking refuge in a Complete Saint to break the hassle of birth and death and attain liberation. Kabir Saheb has stated in His divine verses:
Manush Janam Paye Kar Jo Nahi Rate Hari Naam |
Jaise Kuua Jal Bina Fir Banwaya Kya Kaam ||
This Complete Saint is referred to as Tatvdarshi Sant in holy Gita ji (chapter 4 verse 34) and Bakhabar in holy Quran Sharif (Surat Furqani 25 Aayat 59). Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj is the only one Who stands true to all the identifications of a Complete Saint. Therefore, instead of entangling yourself in disputes over property, humanity should look to serve the purpose of their human birth by seeking refuge under Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj.
For more detailed insights, order a free copy of His book ‘Gyan Ganga’ in your preferred language from His website www.jagatgururampalji.org or you can watch His spiritual discourses for more deeper insights on ‘Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’ youtube channel.
