Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 3: Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, presented the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, a day after it was passed by the Lok Sabha following an intense 12-hour debate.
Addressing concerns raised by the Opposition, Rijiju dismissed claims that Waqf properties would be managed by non-Muslims, calling such assertions misleading and baseless. He also referenced the Sachar Committee report, emphasizing that despite the vast land holdings under the Waqf Board, the Muslim community continued to face socio-economic hardships.
The Minister pointed out that the Congress-led UPA government had introduced amendments to the Waqf Act in 2013 but failed to resolve key issues. He argued that the 2025 amendments seek to rectify past shortcomings and ensure better governance of Waqf properties. Rijiju highlighted that the 2013 Select Committee had acknowledged instances of Waqf property misuse, despite the Board being the third-largest landholder in the country. However, its resources were not efficiently utilized to benefit minority communities.
Comparing past and present legislative efforts, Rijiju noted, “The UPA’s committee had just 13 members, whereas the current Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has 31 members. Moreover, the number of deliberations held under the present JPC is significantly higher.”
A key reform introduced in the bill is the inclusion of women in Waqf Board governance, both at the central and state levels. The Central Waqf Council will now consist of 10 members, with at least two women representatives, and four eminent individuals, including an Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
Similarly, the state-level Waqf Boards will now have an 11-member composition, allowing for up to three non-Muslim members and mandating at least two women representatives.
Another major change is the revocation of the controversial Section 40, which previously granted the Waqf Board the authority to claim any property as its own. Additionally, Rijiju announced two significant amendments: first, Waqf cannot claim government land, and second, properties belonging to Scheduled Tribes will remain protected from any Waqf claims or reclassification.
These amendments aim to bring greater transparency and fairness to the administration of Waqf properties, ensuring that they serve the intended beneficiaries without disputes or mismanagement.