The Waqf Act 2025 has stirred protests, sparked political divisions, and triggered heated debates across India. While the BJP hails it as long-overdue reform, others see it as interference in faith and a calculated blow to Muslim identity and community autonomy. A report by Kulsum Mustafa
The Waqf Act 2025 has generated a lot of heat across the country. While there is protest from the Muslims, the other minorities fear that they may meet the same treatment at the BJP’s hand. There is a division in the BJP allies stemming from the fear that they may completely lose the Muslim votes. The Act has sparked discussion and debate across the country so much so that there is open defiance to the law in the non-BJP ruled states.
But against all this, the BJP continues to rejoice and is continuing to do its ground work on data n Waqf properties.
The BJP government considers the passing of the Muslim Waqf Act 2025 as a historic step taken in the broader interest of the Muslim community and not what many Muslim leaders and organizations see it: interference in their religious matters and an attack on Muslim identity.
Through this article, we will attempt to explore the Waqf Board, current issues, highlights of the amended law, objections raised by the opposition, and the perspective of the common Muslim community.
“Waqf” is an Arabic word that means dedicating property permanently for religious and charitable purposes. Waqf properties are managed by State Waqf Boards under the supervision of the Central Waqf Council.
Current scenario of Waqf properties: There are over 600,000 Waqf properties across India. States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu have the highest number of such properties. After Indian Railways and the Ministry of Defence, the Waqf Board is the third-largest landholder in the country. Despite this, the income generated from these properties is significantly low.
The Waqf Act, passed in 1995, aimed to protect Waqf properties and ensure transparency. It made it mandatory for Waqf Boards to maintain records, conduct annual audits, and utilize income for religious and charitable activities. However, several shortcomings surfaced over time, including lack of documentation, corruption, encroachments, and administrative negligence.
Explaining why amendments were necessary in the 1995 Act, Uttar Pradesh State Minister Danish Azad Ansari told Tehelka in an interview that widespread corruption, land mafia’s involvement, and the failure to benefit common Muslims were the primary reasons behind the amendment.
“It is estimated that Waqf properties could generate annual revenue of Rs 12,000 crore, but currently, only Rs163 crore is being realized,” he said, adding, “This indicated massive mismanagement and corruption.”
Among the key features of the 2025 Amendment Act are; mandatory digitization and documentation of Waqf properties; Audit reports will be made public; Mutawallis involved in corruption or encroachments will be held accountable; Non-Muslim officers may assist in administrative functions, but religious roles like Mutawalli will remain exclusive to Muslims; emphasis on monetization and commercial use to boost revenue.
Minister Ansari stated, “This is Allah’s property and it must be protected and used with honesty.” He also highlighted illegal extortion from Muslims for burial, which will be curbed through the new law.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Samajwadi Party’s Iqra Hasan consider the Act a violation of Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution. Owaisi said in his speech in Parliament that the Act is an attack on the religious rights of Muslims and aims to weaken them administratively.
Hasan questioned, “If the government is neutral, then why are Muslims not included in the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust of Ayodhya?”
While some Muslims feel hurt by the law, others believe it could bring transparency and accountability. Many admit that past governments failed to implement reforms effectively. Now that digitization and auditing are being proposed, there is a sense of cautious hope.
Former Sunni Central Waqf Board CEO Syed Mohammad Shoeb, while speaking to this correspondent, acknowledged long-standing corruption in the Board and the need for strict action but also warned against hurting religious sentiments in the process.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav said in Lok Sabha that the Act is a diversion tactic to hide the government’s failures. “Unemployment, inflation, river-cleaning failures, and other shortcomings are being masked by this controversial issue,” said Yadav.
If the government is indeed sincere, it must improve Waqf property management and maintain open dialogue with the Muslim community.
What is required is: transparent appointments in Waqf Boards; annual audit reports should be made public; It must be ensured that Waqf properties are used for useful purposes like schools, hospitals, and hostels; and intellectuals and religious leaders of the community must be involved in decision-making.
The Waqf Act 2025 is undoubtedly a significant shift. Whether it is a step toward reform or an attempt to control the community, only time will tell. But one thing is clear: the functioning of the Waqf Board can no longer continue as before. Both society and the government must ensure that Waqf properties fulfill their intended purpose—to support the poor, needy, and underprivileged Muslims.
