The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, represents a significant step toward reforming the management and administration of Waqf properties in India. The Bill seeks to address the longstanding challenges in the management of Waqf properties, ensuring transparency, better governance, and an equitable distribution of benefits, particularly for minority communities, including Muslim women and underprivileged groups.
What is Waqf?
A Waqf refers to a charitable trust in Islamic law, where a person dedicates a portion of their wealth or property for religious or charitable purposes, typically for the benefit of the community. Waqf properties can include mosques, schools, hospitals, graveyards, and other facilities that serve public purposes. In India, the management of these properties has often been marred by inefficiency, lack of transparency, and instances of misuse.
Addressing Longstanding Issues
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill aims to address issues such as –
- Lack of transparency in Waqf property management
- Incomplete surveys and mutation of Waqf land records
- Insufficient provisions for women’s inheritance rights
- Large number of prolonged litigations including encroachment. In 2013, there were 10,381 pending cases which have now increased to 21,618 cases.
- Irrational power of the Waqf Boards in declaring any property as waqf land based on their own inquiry.
- Large number of disputes related to government land declared as aqf.
- Lack of proper accounting and auditing of Waqf properties.
- Administrative inefficiencies in waqf management. ‘
- Improper treatment to Trust properties.
- Inadequate representation of stakeholders in Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards.
Key Features of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Digitization of Waqf Records: One of the most significant provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is the digitization of all Waqf records. This move is aimed at bringing greater transparency to the management of Waqf properties, allowing for real-time tracking, auditing, and monitoring. Digitization will also help to mitigate disputes over ownership and the use of these properties by making records more accessible and easily verifiable.
- Empowering Local Authorities and Waqf Committees: The Bill empowers local authorities, as well as Waqf boards and committees, to play a more active role in the administration and decision-making process regarding Waqf properties. By decentralizing authority, the Bill aims to ensure that Waqf properties are managed more efficiently and are used for the intended charitable purposes.
- Inclusion of Muslim Women and Underprivileged Groups: A notable feature of the Amendment Bill is its focus on ensuring that Waqf properties contribute directly to the welfare of marginalized groups, particularly Muslim women and the economically disadvantaged. Provisions are included to allocate resources from Waqf properties to empower women and provide financial support for educational and healthcare initiatives. This will help improve their social and economic status within the community.
- Strengthening Legal Support for Women: The Bill introduces provisions specifically designed to strengthen legal support for women’s participation in Waqf administration. This is part of a broader effort to promote gender equality in the management of community resources. Women will have a greater say in the governance and decision-making processes related to Waqf properties, contributing to more inclusive and equitable management.
- Protection of Heritage Sites: Many Waqf properties are of cultural, historical, and religious significance. The Bill includes provisions to protect these heritage sites from encroachment or misuse. By creating a more robust legal framework, the Amendment Bill ensures that Waqf properties of historical value are preserved for future generations and continue to serve their intended social purposes.
- Preventing the Misuse of Waqf Properties: The Bill seeks to eliminate corruption and prevent the misuse of Waqf lands for personal or commercial gains. It introduces stricter regulations to prevent land-grabbing and illegal transactions involving Waqf properties. The Amendment Bill includes more comprehensive checks and balances, improving the accountability of Waqf boards and officials.
- Enhanced Financial Accountability and Transparency: A critical aspect of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is its emphasis on financial accountability. The Bill outlines measures to ensure that funds generated from Waqf properties are used for the purposes they were intended for. This includes regular audits, the establishment of clear financial reporting mechanisms, and the requirement that Waqf boards and committees make their financial records publicly accessible.
- Appointment of Diverse Representatives in Waqf Boards: In order to foster a more inclusive and democratic system of governance, the Amendment Bill calls for the inclusion of diverse community representatives in the management of Waqf boards. This ensures that Waqf properties are administered by a group of individuals who represent the community’s interests and contribute a broad range of perspectives.
- Promotion of Social Welfare Projects: The Waqf properties will also be used to promote broader social welfare projects, including educational programs, healthcare facilities, and infrastructure development in communities that are most in need. The Bill directs that a portion of the income from Waqf lands be allocated to support these initiatives, especially those that benefit vulnerable populations.
Impact of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has the potential to bring about significant positive changes to the administration and use of Waqf properties in India. By addressing the key issues of inefficiency, mismanagement, and corruption, the Bill ensures that Waqf properties will be used in a manner that directly benefits the public, particularly marginalized groups. Furthermore, the focus on transparency, financial accountability, and the inclusion of diverse community members in the governance of Waqf boards will help build trust in the system.
The digitization of records and the protection of heritage sites are expected to reduce the risk of land encroachment and illegal transactions, while the increased involvement of Muslim women in decision-making processes will promote gender equality and empowerment. Additionally, the Bill’s focus on social welfare projects will improve the overall well-being of underprivileged communities, contributing to the broader goal of national development.
In summary, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, represents a comprehensive reform aimed at modernizing the management of Waqf properties in India. It seeks to ensure that these resources are used effectively, efficiently, and equitably for the welfare of the community, particularly those in need. Through these reforms, the Bill hopes to strengthen the governance of Waqf properties and enhance their role in promoting social justice and welfare across the nation.
Conclusion:
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 establishes a secular, transparent, and accountable system for Waqf administration. While Waqf properties serve religious and charitable purposes, their management involves legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities that require structured governance. The role of Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council (CWC) is not religious but regulatory, ensuring legal compliance and safeguarding public interest. By introducing checks and balances, empowering stakeholders, and improving governance, the Bill sets a progressive and fair framework for Waqf administration in India.
