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Real Estate
The Indian Parliament has recently passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, marking a significant development in the governance of Waqf properties across the country. The Rajya Sabha approved the Bill with 128 members voting in favor and 95 against, following a rigorous 12-hour debate. The Lok Sabha had already passed the Bill on 3rd April 2025, and it received the President's assent on 5th April 2025, coming into force shortly thereafter[1][5].
With an estimated 8.8 lakh (880,000) Waqf properties registered nationwide and over 73,000 currently under dispute, this legislation aims to streamline administration, improve transparency, and safeguard these religious and community assets which hold immense cultural and social significance for Indian Muslims[1][5].
Waqf refers to an Islamic endowment of property, typically involving mosques, graveyards, educational institutions, and charitable trusts. These properties are held in trust and cannot be sold or inherited, meant to serve religious, educational, and social welfare purposes within the Muslim community.
India is home to approximately 8.8 lakh Waqf properties, a huge portfolio reflecting centuries of Muslim endowments across the country. These properties vary widely — from mosques and dargahs to schools and burial grounds.
However, over 73,000 Waqf properties are currently entangled in legal or administrative disputes, hindering their proper use and management. The new amendments aim to address this backlog by:
While the government, led by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under Kiren Rijiju, asserts that the Bill will benefit crores of poor Muslims by safeguarding their rights and improving property management, it has also sparked controversy. Critics argue the amendments may increase government oversight and control over Muslim-owned Waqf properties, potentially undermining the autonomy traditionally enjoyed by Muslim institutions[4].
The Bill is viewed by some as a strategic move within broader political discourse, prompting protests in several regions, especially in Muslim-majority districts. There are concerns about the preservation of religious identities and socio-political rights connected to these properties[4].
With the Bill now law, the focus shifts towards implementation:
This comprehensive approach aims at transforming the Waqf property sector into a more productive, transparent, and socially beneficial system that can empower millions within the Muslim community.
The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 represents a landmark legislative step aimed at revitalizing the management of Muslim Waqf properties across India. With nearly 8.8 lakh properties under its scope and over 73,000 disputes to resolve, the Bill introduces crucial reforms intended to bring transparency, protect heritage, and uplift vulnerable members of the Muslim community.
While it promises social welfare and enhanced governance, ongoing debates highlight the sensitive nature of state involvement in religious endowments, reflecting broader socio-political challenges in India today. The success of this Act will largely depend on balanced implementation that respects both legal mandates and community sentiments.
This historic legislation underscores the government’s push towards inclusiveness blended with accountability, setting the stage for a new era in Waqf property administration.
Current Date: April 19, 2025
