President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, transforming it into law after Parliament’s marathon debates in both Houses.
The Act is set to revolutionize waqf property administration, addressing long-standing issues of transparency and accountability while ensuring representation from diverse Muslim sects in waqf boards.
Provisions of the new law focus on safeguarding heritage sites and promoting social welfare, particularly targeting the upliftment of marginalized groups such as Muslim widows and divorcees. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju championed the Bill, emphasizing its potential benefits for millions of poor Muslims without interfering in waqf property management.
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the legislation as a “watershed moment” for transparency and rights protection, opposition leaders voiced concerns over its implications. Congress MP Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain labeled the Bill as communal and polarizing, while DMK’s Tiruchi Siva questioned its alignment with constitutional values.
The accompanying Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2025, which abolishes outdated provisions from the 1923 Mussalman Wakf Act, was also passed, signifying a comprehensive shift in legislative approach to waqf property management.
As the political discourse around the Bill continues, its long-term impact remains uncertain, with advocates pointing to empowerment and modernization while critics warn against potential centralization of control.
