Modi Government's Waqf Act Overhaul Set To Stir Hornet's Nest: Here's All About It

In a move likely to ignite intense debates, the Union government is reportedly preparing to introduce a bill in Parliament proposing 40 amendments to the Waqf Act.

The proposed amendments have received approval from the Narendra Modi government during a late evening Union Cabinet meeting on Friday (2 August), as per a report by The New Indian Express.

Though no official statement has been released yet, the same report mentions that the bill could be presented in Parliament this week.

The amendments aim to address longstanding issues surrounding the administration of Waqf properties, which are among the country's largest landholdings.

These proposed amendments are part of a broader strategy by the NDA-III government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If introduced in Parliament, the bill would seek to establish stricter guidelines for the declaration and management of Waqf lands, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

Key provisions of the potential bill may include the appointment of independent auditors to review the administration of Waqf properties and guidelines for Waqf lands.

There is also speculation that the amendments may propose enhanced powers for the central government to intervene in cases of significant mismanagement or fraud.

The bill is expected to spark a heated debate in Parliament, with supporters arguing that these reforms are necessary for better governance, while opponents view it as an infringement on religious autonomy.

Currently, 30 Waqf boards operate across India's 28 states and Union Territories, following the enactment of the Waqf Act, 1995, which was designed to streamline "auqaf" (property owned by Waqf boards).

In 2023, the Delhi High Court had directed the central government to carry out a physical verification of 123 properties owned by the Delhi Waqf Board in the national capital.

Additionally, the bill may propose ensuring a reservation for women in the central and state Waqf boards and mandating verification of land before it is declared Waqf property.