In a significant legislative development, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday with 288 votes in favour and 232 against, after a prolonged and intense debate. The bill seeks to bring more transparency and curb alleged misuse of waqf properties, while ensuring that religious rights remain untouched.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing concerns raised by the opposition, clarified that the bill does not allow for non-Muslims to be part of waqf management or religious activities. “There is neither any provision for the appointment of a non-Muslim to manage the religious institution nor do we intend to introduce such a provision,” Shah said, dismissing claims of religious interference as “fear-mongering for vote-bank politics.”
Shah further stated that the bill aims to prevent misuse of waqf as a “ruse for land grabbing,” citing several controversial cases, including land in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and properties such as Chandra Shekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj that were allegedly claimed under waqf.
He emphasized that the bill will protect waqf and public properties alike, similar to ASI-protected monuments and tribal land laws. Shah also criticized the 2013 amendments made by the UPA government, blaming them for creating loopholes that led to large-scale property transfers, including 123 VVIP properties in Lutyens’ Delhi.
Opposition parties including Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress, AAP, and Shiv Sena (UBT) strongly opposed the bill. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee described the waqf as a sacred Islamic tradition, accusing the government of trying to dilute its essence. Shiv Sena’s Arvind Sawant linked the bill’s timing to political motives ahead of elections, calling it “Saugat-e-Bill.”
Despite the objections, the government stood firm, asserting that the amendment is about administrative accountability and protection of genuine waqf property donations—promising that only private property, not community land, can be declared as waqf.
The bill now awaits passage in the Rajya Sabha.
