In a major legislative development, Parliament has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, following its approval in the Rajya Sabha after a marathon 12-hour debate. The bill, which seeks to amend the existing Waqf Act, was earlier cleared in the Lok Sabha and has now crossed the final hurdle in the Upper House.
The Union government has defended the bill, stating that the amendments are aimed at strengthening the governance and transparency of Waqf Boards, which manage religious and charitable properties under Muslim law. According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the new provisions will help prevent encroachments, streamline records, and reduce corruption within Waqf institutions.
However, the passage of the bill has sparked political controversy. A total of 128 members voted in favour, while 95 opposed it in the Rajya Sabha. No members abstained. The opposition parties, including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, and Left parties, have alleged that the bill was passed without proper consultation and undermines the property and constitutional rights of citizens.
Leaders of the opposition also criticized the government for not referring the bill to a parliamentary select committee for deeper scrutiny. Several MPs raised concerns that the bill gives excessive powers to Waqf Boards, allowing them to declare properties as Waqf land without sufficient legal safeguards for existing owners.
In response, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs asserted that the bill respects religious freedom and property laws and is focused only on improving administrative efficiency. He added that genuine stakeholders of Waqf properties will benefit from the reforms, which aim to eliminate mismanagement and illegal occupations.
Now that the bill has passed both Houses of Parliament, it awaits Presidential assent before being enacted into law. Legal experts expect potential judicial challenges, as some opposition leaders have indicated plans to approach the Supreme Court on constitutional grounds.
The passage of the Waqf Bill marks a significant turning point in the governance of religious endowments in India, with implications for both legal rights and political dynamics.
