Parliament has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a significant update to how Waqf properties are managed in India. The Rajya Sabha approved the legislation after a prolonged 12-hour debate, with 128 votes in favor and 95 against. The Lok Sabha had already cleared the bill earlier.
What Is Waqf?
Waqf is a traditional Islamic endowment system where a Muslim donates property permanently for religious or charitable purposes. These properties are typically used for building mosques, schools, hospitals, or other public welfare projects. Once declared as waqf, the property becomes inalienable it cannot be sold or transferred, as it is considered to belong to God.
The idea behind Waqf is rooted in Islamic teachings of charity (sadaqah jariyah or continuous charity) and social justice. In India, Waqf properties are managed by state and central Waqf Boards, which operate under the oversight of the Central Waqf Council.
India has one of the largest Waqf systems in the world. According to estimates, over 6 lakh registered Waqf properties exist across the country, covering more than 8 lakh acres of land but many of them are underutilized or locked in legal disputes.
Why the Amendment Was Needed
Over time, the management of Waqf properties has faced numerous challenges, including mismanagement, lack of accountability and disputes over ownership. The 2025 amendment aims to address these concerns.
“The Waqf Board is a statutory body and it should be secular, but still, the government restricted the number of non-Muslims in it,” said Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju during the debate. He added that the revised structure would include 22 members in the Central Waqf Council, with no more than four non-Muslim members, and that only three out of eleven members in the Waqf Board would be non-Muslims.
The bill introduces reforms designed to bring transparency and accountability in Waqf property management, ensure better coordination between Waqf Boards and local authorities, and safeguard religious and heritage sites. A notable feature is its emphasis on uplifting Muslim women, particularly widows and divorcees, through better inclusion and economic support.
“Crores of poor Muslims will benefit from this legislation and in no way does it harm any single Muslim,” Rijiju assured, emphasizing the government’s commitment to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
He also noted that the bill was shaped through “detailed consultation with stakeholders and the Joint Parliamentary Committee.”
While supporters say the bill will modernize and improve the Waqf system, critics claim it is politically motivated. Opposition leaders raised concerns about secularism, transparency, and the bill’s constitutional validity. Nevertheless, the government maintains that the reforms are essential for the betterment of marginalized Muslim communities.