The Centre may introduce a bill in Parliament aimed at amending the Wakf Act, sources said. This proposed legislation is expected to include around 40 amendments and has already received approval from the Union Cabinet, sources added. The bill is designed to address concerns over the broad powers of Waqf boards, specifically their ability to declare land as their property.
Major Amendments and Repeals
According to sources, the draft legislation seeks to make several significant changes. It proposes restructuring Waqf boards, altering their composition, and instituting a process for verifying land before it can be declared Waqf property. Amendments to Section 9 and Section 14 of the Wakf Act are also proposed, aiming to adjust the composition of the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards to include more female representatives.
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Verification and Disputed Land
The bill also includes provisions for fresh verification of disputed land claims made by state Waqf boards, sources said. This follows a Delhi High Court order from May of last year, which instructed the Union government to physically inspect 123 properties claimed by the Delhi Waqf Board. Subsequently, the Union urban development ministry issued notices regarding these properties in August of the same year.
Context and Rationale
Sources said that the rationale behind the bill includes addressing specific cases of Waqf board claims. For instance, in September 2022, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board claimed ownership of the entire Thiruchendurai village, which has a predominantly Hindu population. This claim highlighted the need for greater scrutiny and regulation, sources noted.
Current Status and Historical Context
Currently, there are 30 Waqf boards across 28 states and Union territories in India, sources said. The Wakf Act of 1995 regulates ‘Auqaf’ (properties dedicated for religious or charitable purposes under Muslim law). The Act was previously amended in 2013 to address various issues. Government records indicate that there are approximately 8.70 lakh Waqf properties covering 9.40 lakh acres of land.
The timing of this bill is significant, sources pointed out, with assembly elections in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand anticipated in October this year. This context may influence the bill’s reception and impact.
(Includes inputs from online sources)
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