Indian Parliament Debates Waqf Bill

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – On April 2, the Indian government introduced a bill in parliament proposing significant reforms in the administration of vast properties designated exclusively for Muslim use, a move that has sparked criticism from opposition groups and Muslim organizations.

The properties fall under the “waqf” category, a term derived from Arabic meaning “to remain.” These lands are endowed by Muslims for religious, educational, or charitable purposes and are legally barred from being sold or transferred. The history of Waqf in India started with the gift of two villages in the 12th century.

According to government and Muslim organizations, more than 25 waqf boards oversee nearly 851,535 properties spanning approximately 900,000 acres, making them among India’s largest landowners, Reuters reported.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, seeks to introduce non-Muslim members into the central Waqf Council and regional waqf boards while granting the government authority to determine ownership in disputed waqf cases.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the bill, defended the proposal, asserting that it aims to curb corruption and mismanagement, which he said have largely benefited elite Muslim families.

Home Minister Amit Shah stated in Parliament that Waqf boards owned 18 lakh acres from 1913 to 2013 but 21 lakh acres have been added in just the last 12 years.

Critics, including opposition lawmakers and Islamic organizations, argue that the legislation is a strategic attempt to dilute Muslim property rights enshrined in the Indian constitution and transfer control over their assets, Reuters reported.

India, home to over 200 million Muslims, is projected to have the world’s largest Muslim population by 2050, according to the Pew Research Center.