Introduction: Redefining Waqf for a Modern India
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, recently passed by Parliament, marks a turning point in the governance of Waqf properties in India. Rooted in centuries-old Islamic tradition, Waqf refers to charitable or religious endowments used for public welfare. However, with growing disputes, lack of accountability, and outdated administration, the need for reform had become pressing. This landmark bill seeks to digitize, democratize, and streamline Waqf management, ensuring transparency while protecting rights.
Understanding Waqf: A Legacy of Inalienable Charity
Waqf properties are donations made by Muslims to serve religious and societal needs—mosques, orphanages, schools, and more. Once a property becomes Waqf, it is considered inalienable, meaning it cannot be sold, gifted, or inherited. It is meant to serve the community in perpetuity. Yet over the years, this noble system has been plagued by mismanagement, arbitrary land claims, and a growing number of legal cases.
What Problems Does the Bill Aim to Solve?
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 addresses several critical challenges:
- 21,618 pending cases of Waqf-related disputes (up from 10,381 in 2013)
- Arbitrary classification of government and private lands as Waqf
- Lack of proper land mutation and surveys
- Encroachments and misappropriation of Waqf properties
- No standardized accounting or audit system
- Poor representation of minority groups and women on Waqf Boards
.Key Highlights of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025
1. Digital Overhaul for Transparency
A centralized digital portal will register all Waqf properties, ensuring better visibility, audit trails, and real-time tracking of land use and financials.
Tool recommendation: Use Waqf Property Check to verify if your land is affected by any Waqf claims.
2. Documentation-Backed Property Claims
Oral declarations or traditional usage will no longer suffice. Waqf Boards must now furnish valid documents to register new properties—minimizing unlawful claims.
3. Dispute Resolution & Judicial Oversight
Government will hold final authority over land ownership disputes, especially in cases involving public land, replacing the earlier exclusive authority of Waqf tribunals.
4. Non-Muslim and Inclusive Representation
Each board will now include non-Muslim members and representatives from multiple Muslim sects such as Bohras and Aghakhanis, along with elected members from municipalities and panchayats.
5. Social Upliftment Through Better Revenue Use
Proper audits and removal of illegal encroachments will boost Waqf Board revenues, which will be reinvested into education, healthcare, and housing for the poor.
Real-Life Impact: Case Studies That Shaped the Bill
- Tamil Nadu: A farmer in Thiruchenthurai couldn’t sell his land due to the Waqf Board claiming the entire village.
- Bihar: Seven families in Govindpur challenged a Waqf claim over their village in the Patna High Court.
- Kerala: 600 Christian families protested in Ernakulam over ancestral land claims by the Waqf Board.
- Karnataka: Farmers protested after 15,000 acres in Vijayapura were labeled Waqf land.
These cases underscore the importance of property verification using tools like the Survey Number Finder and View Patta/Chitta.
Empowering Muslim Women and Backward Communities
The bill actively promotes women’s participation in Waqf governance and ensures a portion of Waqf revenue is dedicated to:
- Scholarships for girls
- Legal aid centers for inheritance or domestic disputes
- Healthcare and maternity support
- Vocational training for women entrepreneurs
- Pensions for widows
It also strengthens representation from backward Muslim communities on Waqf boards—ensuring a voice for all.
Safeguarding Property Rights and National Assets
As of September 2024, 5973 government properties were claimed by Waqf Boards across 25 states and UTs. These include farmlands, lakes, temples, and even properties held by urban planning authorities. This has led to litigation and confusion in cities like Delhi, Patiala, and Bengaluru.
Verified.RealEstate’s Legal Opinion and Property Valuation services are instrumental in helping stakeholders assess legal standing and property value before buying or selling.
Controversies and Opposition
Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, President of All India Muslim Jamaat, has supported the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, calling it beneficial for poor and marginalized Muslims. He stated that the bill targets land mafias, not common Muslims, and aims to redirect Waqf land income toward education, orphanages, and widows’ welfare. He reassured that religious sites like mosques and madrasas will remain unaffected, and warned against political misinformation.
However, the bill faces opposition from All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and other Muslim leaders like Maulana Tauqeer Raza, who claim that the bill disregards religious sentiments and constitutional values. They vow to oppose it through democratic channels. Opposition parties and Muslim leaders argue that the bill gives excessive control to the government over religious endowments. They also criticize the dilution of traditional mechanisms by enabling judicial review and reducing Waqf Tribunal authority. High-profile leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi have challenged the bill in the Supreme Court, claiming it infringes on constitutional rights.
Conclusion: A Balanced Step Forward?
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 proposes significant reforms to a historically opaque system. By introducing digital tools, audits, and stakeholder representation, it seeks to balance transparency with tradition. .
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 redefines governance of religious endowments from a purely faith-based model to a structured, regulatory approach. The role of Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council (CWC) becomes more administrative—focusing on compliance, transparency, and community benefit.
This bill has sparked debate—but it also opens the door for modernization and fairness in managing religious assets in a diverse, democratic nation.
However, the impact on minority rights remains a point of concern and will be tested in the courts and on the ground. For citizens, especially property owners and buyers, it becomes vital to verify land status and legal standing using digital platforms before making any transactions.