The Waqf Amendment Act is not an attack on religious institutions, but a necessary measure to uphold fairness and justice

The Waqf Amendment Act has sparked political controversy, with the Opposition launching a misleading campaign to mobilise fundamentalist forces. This is unfortunate and detrimental to India’s social fabric. Reform and progress are essential for any community, and most Muslims in the country recognise this reality. However, a deliberate attempt is being made to provoke them along communal lines to protect vested interests.

I have engaged with many Muslim scholars and asked whether these reforms harm the Muslim community. No one has been able to provide a valid argument against them. The only ones resisting these changes are those who benefit from the illegal occupation of Waqf properties and individuals who have exploited charitable land for personal gain. These so-called leaders fear exposure and are using the guise of religious protection to safeguard their illicit dealings.

The Waqf Amendment Act aims to eliminate the monopoly of a select few over Waqf assets and ensure that these properties truly serve the common Muslim population. The bill was discussed in a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), where instead of offering meaningful suggestions, the opposition attempted to derail the discussion. Yet, the JPC report has confirmed that these amendments are necessary and beneficial. The Modi government is committed to taking decisive steps for the nation’s welfare rather than indulging in vote-bank politics. These reforms will bring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity to Waqf management. Muslim women, in particular, stand to benefit. By ensuring their representation in Waqf boards, the government reinforces the principle that women’s empowerment is essential for community progress.

The step of Waqf reform should have been taken long ago. But then it is better late than never. Now the Modi government has rectified the past mistakes and proposed amendments for the new system, which will enable the Waqf Board to run effectively. Those who are calling it interference in religious matters should understand that this is not a matter related to religion but pertains to property management. Today it is essential to free the Waqf from the clutches of a few people and make it useful for the betterment of the Muslim community.

The Opposition to these reforms mirrors past resistance to progressive laws, such as the abolition of Triple Talaq, which Muslim women overwhelmingly supported. The same forces that sought to deny women their rights are now opposing their participation in Waqf governance. The Waqf Amendment Act ensures that corruption is curbed, resources are utilised properly, and legal mechanisms are in place to resolve disputes.

The amendments include the inclusion of women in the Central Waqf Council, representation of marginalised Muslim groups such as Bohra and Agakhani communities, greater transparency by involving non-Muslim experts in Waqf Board management,  mandatory audits of Waqf properties by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and computerised records of Waqf lands at the district level to prevent encroachments. The amendment to the law will significantly enhance women’s participation in Waqf affairs. Those opposing the bill must ask themselves, are they also opposing greater inclusion of women? The proposed changes to Sections 9 and 14 include a provision to appoint two women to the Central Waqf Council, ensuring their voice in decision-making.  Additionally, the new bill expands representation by including members from the Bohra and Agakhani Muslim communities, fostering greater inclusivity. It is misleading to claim that Waqf will be controlled by a specific group. The previous law was

restrictive and divisive, favouring a select few. This reform introduces an inclusive and equitable system, replacing an outdated framework designed to benefit only a privileged minority. The inclusion of non-Muslim experts in Waqf Board management and ensuring audits by government officials will bring much-needed transparency to the accounting of Waqf funds and properties. Given this commitment to accountability and fair oversight, why should any common Muslim oppose these reforms?

Registering Waqf lands with the Revenue Department and maintaining digital records will enhance transparency. The new bill also strengthens legal recourse by expanding the Waqf Tribunal to two members, with appeals allowed in the High Court within 90 days. Who would oppose a move towards fair dispute resolution?

If Waqf properties are meant for community welfare, why resist government audits and legal oversight? The bill is not an attack on religious institutions but a measure to ensure that Waqf assets benefit the common Muslim, rather than remaining under the control of a few self-serving individuals.

The Sachar Committee, once championed by the UPA government, also recommended such reforms. Ironically, the same Opposition leaders who once supported these changes are now resisting them for political gain. The Central government will now be able to get the Waqf property audited through CAG. For legal changes, the government has cited the recommendations of Justice Sachar Committee and the Joint Committee of Parliament headed by K Rehman Khan. After all, these recommendations were not by non-Muslims.

They were by the educated representatives of the Muslim community who wanted the betterment of their community and not of the fundamentalists.

The amendments will allow Waqf disputes to be resolved legally, ensuring justice for those affected by mismanagement. The bill proposes that Waqf Tribunal decisions can be challenged in the High Court within 90 days, allowing for fair adjudication. These reforms are not about division but about inclusivity and fairness.

I believe that people who mislead Muslims can never truly lead the community. The Muslim community deserves better. Change is inevitable, and it is time to embrace transparency and progress. By ensuring that Waqf properties are properly managed and free from corruption, these reforms will empower the Muslim community and pave the way for future development.

(The writer is Chairperson, Delhi State Haj Committee. Views expressed are personal)