Parliament passes the Waqf Amendment Bill

Parliament Passes Waqf Amendment Bill to Reform Management of Islamic Trust Properties

In a landmark decision aimed at bringing transparency and accountability to the administration of Waqf properties, Parliament on Friday approved the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025. The legislation, which sailed through both houses with cross-party support, introduces sweeping reforms to modernize the management of Islamic charitable endowments that have long suffered from mismanagement and encroachment issues.  

The amended law mandates a complete digital inventory of all Waqf properties across India within one year, a move designed to prevent illegal occupation and streamline record-keeping. It also institutes mandatory third-party audits every three years to ensure financial accountability and imposes stricter penalties, including heavier fines and imprisonment, for unauthorized sale or misuse of Waqf land. Additionally, the bill establishes special tribunals to expedite the resolution of long-pending legal disputes involving Waqf properties, some of which have languished in courts for decades.  

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi hailed the passage of the bill as a historic step toward protecting community assets. "This legislation is about empowering Waqf boards to function more efficiently while ensuring these properties serve their intended religious and charitable purposes," he said during the parliamentary debate. However, some opposition members expressed reservations, with AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi cautioning against potential government overreach. "While transparency is welcome, we must ensure that these reforms do not undermine the autonomy of Waqf institutions," he argued.  

The reforms come at a critical juncture for India's Waqf administration, which oversees more than 800,000 properties – making it one of the largest charitable landholders in the world. A recent parliamentary committee report revealed that nearly 30% of these assets are under illegal occupation, depriving Muslim communities of resources meant for mosques, schools, and hospitals. The government has announced a ₹500-crore modernization fund to assist state Waqf boards in implementing the new digital infrastructure and training programs.  

Civil society groups have responded with cautious optimism. Social activist Harsh Mander noted, "This legislation addresses systemic flaws, but its success will depend on robust implementation and active community participation in monitoring." As the bill awaits presidential assent, stakeholders across the political and social spectrum will be watching closely to see if these reforms can transform the troubled Waqf system into a model of efficient and transparent governance.