Delhi, 2 April (H.S.): Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju presented the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, intended to enhance Waqf property management, incorporate technology, address complexities, and promote transparency. He highlighted that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) conducted the most extensive consultation in India's history, receiving over 97.27 lakh petitions in various formats and considering viewpoints from 284 delegations, along with inputs from Waqf boards from 25 states and Union Territories, legal experts, charitable organizations, and religious figures.

Rijiju emphasized that the government would not interfere in religious institutions and justified the amendments, claiming previous changes by the UPA government required rectification. He asserted that the bill solely concerned property management rather than religious matters.

Key provisions of the bill state that trusts established by Muslims will no longer be classified as Waqf, allowing them to retain complete control over these trusts. Additionally, only practicing Muslims of at least five years can dedicate property to Waqf, reinstating pre-2013 regulations.

The bill mandates that women must receive their inheritance before any Waqf declaration, with explicit protections for widows, divorced women, and orphans. It also initiates a protocol where an officer higher than the rank of collector will investigate government properties claimed as Waqf and make final determinations regarding ownership, replacing the current tribunal system.

Furthermore, provisions are made to include non-Muslim members in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity. Om Birla, the Speaker, dismissed opposition objections about governmental authority to amend the bill. Union Home Minister Amit Shah affirmed the bill followed a thorough consultation process by the JPC before its introduction.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar