Controversy Sparks as Waqf Amendment Bill is Introduced in Parliament

Today, in a heated session of Parliament, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju presented the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to the Lok Sabha. This bill suggests around 40 amendments to the existing Waqf Act from 1995, stirring up quite a debate.

Among the significant changes is a new definition of ‘Waqf’ which now includes specific conditions for who can dedicate property as Waqf, particularly emphasizing the need for the person to have been practicing Islam for at least five years. Another notable amendment involves the creation of a new position, the Collector, who will take over some responsibilities previously held by the Auqaf Board.

The bill also introduces several new regulatory sections that focus on filing and managing Waqf properties. For instance, all registered Waqfs will now need to input their details into a government database within a month. This includes information like the income generated from the properties and any ongoing court cases.

Another part of the amendment seeks to clarify that any government property cannot be declared as Waqf unless it goes through an inquiry by the Collector. This is to prevent any wrongful classification of properties.

There are also updates related to the composition of the Waqf boards, which will now include non-Muslims and specifically two women members. Critics have raised concerns that these changes undermine the rights of the Muslim community to manage their religious affairs, claiming it interferes with their fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Opposition members, including K.C. Venugopal and Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, have vocally opposed the bill, arguing that it disrupts the secular fabric of the nation. They feel that including non-Muslims in Waqf governance is an infringement on the rights protected by Articles 25 to 30 of the Indian Constitution, which ensure the freedom to practice religion.

In response, Kiren Rijiju defended the bill, stating that the amendments are based on the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and aim to improve management and oversight of Waqf properties, which he claims are often mismanaged.

The Bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion, showing that the debate over its implications is far from over.