By MJ SHAIKH 
Introduction: Understanding Waqf
In Islamic tradition, Waqf refers to a religious endowment—typically a property or asset—donated for charitable or religious causes such as building mosques, schools, hospitals, and other community infrastructure. One of the defining features of a Waqf property is its inalienability—meaning it cannot be sold, gifted, or inherited once it has been declared Waqf. The property becomes a trust in the name of God and is meant to serve the community perpetually.
Why Was the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Introduced?
The new amendment aims to resolve longstanding issues and modernize the governance of Waqf properties across India. Key challenges include:
Lack of transparency in property records and management
Incomplete land surveys and mutation processes
Neglect of women’s inheritance rights
Soaring litigation cases—over 21,000 pending disputes as of 2024
Arbitrary powers of Waqf Boards to declare properties as Waqf without due process
Disputes over government land declared as Waqf
Weak financial audits and poor accountability
Exclusion of stakeholders in decision-making processes
Key Reforms Introduced in the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
1. Ensuring Transparency and Accountability
To bring clarity and prevent misuse, the Bill proposes:
Digitization of Waqf records through a centralized portal
Mandatory audits and regular financial inspections
Streamlined coordination between Waqf Boards and local authorities
Public access to land and ownership data
These steps will help reduce corruption, prevent encroachments, and ensure that Waqf properties are used for public welfare as originally intended.
2. Resolving Disputes Over Waqf Land
Several high-profile cases across states have raised concerns about Waqf Boards claiming lands without clear legal basis:
Tamil Nadu: A farmer in Thiruchenthurai village couldn’t sell his land due to Waqf Board claims.
Bihar: Seven families from Govindpur are contesting similar claims in the Patna High Court.
Kerala: Over 600 Christian families in Ernakulam district challenged Waqf land claims.
Karnataka: Farmers protested Waqf Board claims over 15,000 acres in Vijayapura and nearby districts.
Punjab: The Waqf Board reportedly claimed land owned by the state’s Education Department.
The Bill mandates that any such claims must follow a due legal process, with stakeholders being duly notified and given the right to contest.
3. Empowering Muslim Women
The Amendment introduces robust measures to uplift Muslim women, particularly widows and divorced women:
Self-help groups (SHGs) and financial literacy programs
Legal aid centers to resolve family and inheritance disputes
Access to healthcare, scholarships, and vocational training
Focus on skill development in fields like fashion, entrepreneurship, and nursing
Pension schemes for widows and support for women entrepreneurs
These efforts promote gender equity, financial independence, and community empowerment.
4. Strengthening Welfare for the Poor
Waqf institutions have traditionally played a crucial role in aiding the underprivileged. The new Bill ensures these benefits are amplified through:
A centralized digital monitoring system to manage property records
Prevention of illegal occupations to boost revenue
Transparent use of funds for education, healthcare, housing, and livelihoods
Regular inspections to foster public trust in the system
By leveraging technology and governance, the Bill reinforces Waqf’s original mission of serving the needy.
5. Inclusive Governance & Representation
The new legislation ensures broader representation in Waqf management by:
Including members from Bohra and Aghakhani communities, if they have active Auqaf
Ensuring representation from backward Muslim communities, along with Shia and Sunni
Electing local body members (Panchayat/Municipality) to the State Waqf Boards
Adding non-Muslim members to the Central and State Waqf Councils to uphold secular governance
This inclusive model encourages diversity, checks arbitrary power, and fosters balanced decision-making.
Conclusion: A Progressive Framework for Waqf Governance
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 represents a significant shift towards transparent, inclusive, and secular management of Waqf assets in India. By addressing administrative loopholes, empowering women, protecting property rights, and digitizing processes, the Bill ensures that Waqf resources are rightly utilized for religious, charitable, and social development purposes.
Most importantly, it defines the role of Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council not as religious authorities, but as regulatory bodies entrusted with safeguarding public interest and community welfare.
(The data referenced from government website https://pib.gov.in)
Alisha Shah