Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Muslim Bodies, Oppn Leaders Stage Protest

On Monday, many Muslim groups and opposition leaders held a major protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. They accused the BJP-led government of trying to take control of Waqf properties, which are lands and buildings held for religious purposes.

The protest was led by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), which was created in 1973 to protect Islamic personal law in India. Several opposition leaders joined the protest, including AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Manickam Tagore.

AIMPLB spokesperson Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas said, “We want this bill to be withdrawn. The JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal is misleading people.”

Salman Khurshid from Congress spoke at the protest, saying that Waqf properties are very important to Muslim culture and identity. He added, “If democracy is alive, people will understand and try to grasp the essence of democracy.” Manickam Tagore also expressed the Congress party’s opposition to the bill, saying they are working with their allies to address it in Parliament.

Owaisi criticized the bill, warning that it could be used to challenge the status of mosques. He said, “If someone claims a mosque is not a mosque and the Collector starts an inquiry, then the mosque won’t be our property until the inquiry is finished.”

ET Muhammad Basheer, a member of the Indian Union Muslim League, accused the government of trying to “loot” Waqf properties and ignoring the concerns of the opposition. He said, “The JPC on the Waqf Amendment Bill did not even consider our views. We oppose it.”

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is reviewing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and has made several recommendations that have sparked debate. Some of the most controversial proposals include:

1. New Inquiry Powers: The bill suggests that if there is a dispute over a Waqf property, the district collector or another authority can start an inquiry. This raises concerns that it could be used to question the status of mosques and other religious sites.

2. State Oversight: The amendments aim to give more control to state governments over Waqf Boards, which critics say could lead to political interference in managing Waqf properties.

3. Restrictions on Property Transfers: The bill proposes stricter rules for leasing and selling Waqf land to prevent unauthorized transactions. However, opponents worry this could be used to take away community assets.

4. Exclusion of Opposition Views: Many opposition leaders and Muslim organizations claim their concerns were ignored during the JPC discussions.

The ruling BJP and the JPC dismissed the protest as politically motivated. JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal defended the bill, saying, “The act has not even been introduced yet. We have only submitted our 428-page report. They should speak after the bill is passed.” He also clarified that higher officials, not district magistrates, would handle disputes over Waqf properties.

Pal argued, “Nobody is taking away Waqf land. This amendment will actually prevent illegal sales and benefit the poor.”

Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad criticized Pal, saying, “He was a Congressman earlier, now he has joined the party to harm the BJP. Jagdambika Pal is an old Congressman.”

While the protest had a lot of participants, some Muslim leaders questioned the AIMPLB’s position. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, the National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, said the AIMPLB was straying from its original purpose, which was to address issues related to Sharia and social problems, not to engage in political protests.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024, to amend the Waqf Act of 1995. It was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for further examination. The JPC presented its report to Parliament on February 13, 2025, amid protests from the opposition over the lack of consideration for dissenting opinions. The bill is now waiting for more discussion and approval in both houses of Parliament.