India Passes Controversial Waqf Bill 2025: Aims for Transparency, Sparks Political and Legal Battles April 6, 2025
New Delhi: India’s Parliament has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a landmark legislation that overhauls the management of Muslim charitable properties, triggering heated debates over minority rights, transparency, and governance. President Droupadi Murmu granted her assent on April 5, 2025, finalizing the law amid protests and legal challenges .
Key Features of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025
- Stricter Documentation Requirements: Properties must now have valid legal documents to be classified as waqf (Islamic endowments). Oral declarations or community customs alone will no longer suffice, potentially resolving long-standing land disputes with government bodies .
- Inclusion of Non-Muslims in Waqf Boards: Up to four non-Muslim members, including women, can now serve on state and central waqf boards. The government claims this ensures accountability, while critics fear erosion of community control .
- Centralized Digital Registration: All waqf properties must be registered within six months via a national portal to prevent encroachments and streamline management .
- Government Authority in Disputes: Final decisions on disputed properties, especially those claimed by the government, will rest with senior officials, replacing the earlier system where waqf tribunals had the last word .
- Repeal of 1923 Wakf Act: The outdated Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923 has been scrapped, aligning laws with modern governance needs .
Government’s Stance: Transparency vs. Minority Rights
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the bill as a “watershed moment” to address decades of mismanagement and corruption in waqf administration, which oversees over 8.72 lakh properties valued at billions of dollars . Union Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the law’s focus on empowering marginalized Muslims, including widows and divorcees, through better welfare programs and heritage site preservation .
However, opposition leaders and Muslim groups accuse the government of undermining minority autonomy. Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain called the bill “misleading” and a tool for “communal polarization,” while AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi filed a Supreme Court petition, alleging constitutional violations .
Impact on Education and Madrassas
Waqf properties fund critical institutions like madrassas, mosques, and orphanages. The new law’s emphasis on audits and centralized control has raised fears about reduced funding for Islamic education. Over 38,000 madrassas, many serving low-income students, rely on waqf income. Experts warn that shifting decision-making power to government officials could disrupt curricula and religious instruction .
Proponents argue the bill could modernize madrassas by integrating secular subjects like science and math. Yet, budget cuts in schemes like the Quami Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS) have already strained resources, casting doubt on these promises .
Legal and Political Fallout
The law faces multiple Supreme Court challenges from opposition MPs, who argue it violates Muslims’ constitutional rights to manage religious properties . Political tensions flared within the ruling NDA alliance, with five JD(U) leaders resigning ahead of Bihar elections, signaling internal dissent .
Home Minister Amit Shah defended the bill, stating non-Muslim board members are for “administrative purposes only” and won’t interfere with religious practices. BJP President J.P. Nadda linked the reforms to the UMEED initiative (Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development), aiming to boost transparency .
What’s Next?
The law’s implementation will be closely watched, particularly its effect on India’s 200 million Muslims. While supporters believe it will curb corruption and uplift marginalized groups, critics warn of centralized control and reduced minority representation. With Supreme Court hearings pending, the debate over religious rights and governance is far from over .
For further details, refer to official government notifications and ongoing legal proceedings.