VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, Apr 2: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, addressed the Lok Sabha today during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024.
He asserted that the proposed amendments aim to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties, countering opposition claims of governmental interference in Muslim religious affairs.
Shah emphasized that the opposition is disseminating misconceptions, alleging that the bill intrudes upon Muslim religious activities and donated properties. He accused opposition parties of attempting to instill fear within the minority community to consolidate their vote bank. “The government does not intend to interfere in the religious activities of our Muslim brothers or the trusts associated with their donations, i.e., Waqf,” he stated.
Key Provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025:
Composition of Waqf Boards: Shah clarified that while Mutawalli (custodian), Waqif (donor), and Waqf entities will continue to be Muslims, the bill proposes the inclusion of non-Muslim members in administrative roles. However, these non-Muslim members will not participate in religious activities related to Waqf. Their involvement will be confined to administrative functions, ensuring that the board operates in accordance with charity laws. “No non-Islamic member will have a place in the Waqf Board’s work related to religious donations,” he affirmed.
Role of Charity Commissioner: The bill allows individuals of any religion to assume the role of Charity Commissioner, tasked with overseeing the board’s adherence to charity laws. Shri Shah underscored that this is an administrative position without any involvement in religious matters.
Protection of Waqf Properties: The amendment seeks to ensure proper maintenance and lawful use of Waqf properties. Shri Shah highlighted instances where Waqf properties were mismanaged or misappropriated, stating that the Waqf Board’s primary responsibility should be to identify and remove those exploiting these assets. “This bill will provide protection to the land; someone’s land will not become Waqf by mere declaration,” he asserted.
Verification of Waqf Property Declarations: The bill abolishes the unilateral right to declare Waqf property. Now, such declarations must be certified by the district collector, ensuring that only legitimately owned properties are designated as Waqf. “Donation can be made only of one’s own property; hence Waqf will not be able to take personal property without ownership,” Shah explained.
The Union Home Minister criticized the opposition for their handling of the Waqf law amendment in 2013, which, according to him, led to the allocation of 123 high-profile properties in Delhi’s Lutyens’ Zone to Waqf. He stated that the current government operates on a clear principle: laws are enacted for justice and the welfare of the people, not for vote-bank politics. “Everyone has the right to follow their religion, but conversion cannot be done for greed, temptation, and fear,” he added.
Addressing concerns about the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards, Shri Shah reiterated that their roles are strictly administrative. “Work of non-Muslim members, appointed in the Waqf Board or its premises, will not be related to religious activities,” he clarified. He further noted that similar administrative structures exist in other religious trusts, where the Charity Commissioner ensures compliance with charity laws, irrespective of religious affiliation.
Shah also highlighted the extensive deliberation and consultation that preceded the drafting of this bill. A joint committee conducted 38 meetings, totaling 113 hours of discussion, and consulted 284 stakeholders. Approximately one crore online suggestions were received and analyzed. “This is the law of the Government of India which is binding on everyone, and everyone will have to accept it,” he asserted.
In response to opposition claims that the bill targets minority communities, the Union Home Minister pointed out that similar apprehensions were raised during the enactment of laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the abrogation of Article 370. He emphasized that no citizen has lost their citizenship due to CAA and that the government’s resolve is to ensure that no citizen, irrespective of their religion, is harmed.
The Home Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and properties of all citizens, stating that the amendments aim to bring transparency and accountability to the management of Waqf properties, ultimately benefiting the Muslim community and the nation as a whole.
