Waqf Board Amendment Bill: Proposed Amendments to Wakf Act Face Strong Opposition from Muslim Personal Law Board

Amid reports of the government’s plans to introduce a bill amending the Wakf Act 1995, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has expressed strong opposition, labeling the proposed changes as “unacceptable.”

Government sources have indicated that up to 40 amendments to the Act are being considered to reduce the powers of the waqf boards. These changes are likely to be presented in Parliament this week.

The Wakf Act 1995 was initially enacted to improve the administration of ‘auqaf’ (assets donated and recognized as waqf). A government source revealed that the proposed bill includes repealing several clauses of the Act.

“Among the major amendments that are likely to be proposed by the draft legislation are the restructuring of waqf boards, changing the composition of boards, and ensuring verification of the land before the board announces it as a waqf property,” the source explained. “It also proposes to seek fresh verification of disputed land claimed by the state waqf boards.”

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In response, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board issued a statement on Sunday, asserting, “Any change to the Act that alters the nature of waqf properties or makes it easier for the government or any individual to usurp the same will not be acceptable.” The statement, released by spokesperson Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, also emphasized that “reducing or restricting the powers of waqf boards will not be tolerated.”

The spokesperson further clarified, “Waqf properties are donations made by Muslim philanthropists dedicated to religious and charitable purposes; the government has enacted the Wakf Act only to regulate them. The Wakf Act and waqf properties are protected by the Constitution of India and Shariat Application Act, 1937. Therefore, the government cannot make any amendment that would change and alter the nature and status of these properties.”

The Board also appealed to the allies of the NDA and other opposition parties to reject the proposed amendments in Parliament.

In a separate statement, AIMIM president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the Central government, accusing it of attempting to seize waqf board properties from Muslims. “The first thing is that when Parliament is in session, then the Central government has informed the media and not Parliament. On the basis of the reports in the media, it shows that the Modi government wants to take away the autonomy of the waqf board. And it wants to interfere against the will of waqifs on how to run the waqf properties. This is against freedom of religion,” said Owaisi.

A government source also mentioned that among the 40 amendments to the Wakf Act, there will be a provision to include women in these bodies, further reshaping the composition and governance of waqf boards.

Also read: Central Government Brings Major Reforms for Waqf Board; What is Waqf Board?