The Indian government has put forth a bill in parliament aimed at implementing substantial reforms regarding the management of extensive properties allocated solely for Muslim purposes, a proposal that has drawn criticism from opposition parties and Muslim advocacy groups. These properties are classified as “waqf,” an Arabic term meaning “to remain,” which refers to lands donated by Muslims for religious, educational, or charitable uses, and are legally prohibited from being sold or transferred. The tradition of waqf in India dates back to the 12th century with the donation of two villages. As reported by Reuters, over 25 waqf boards are responsible for managing approximately 851,535 properties that cover around 900,000 acres, positioning them as some of the largest landholders in India.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, proposes the inclusion of non-Muslim members in both the central Waqf Council and regional waqf boards, while also empowering the government to adjudicate ownership in cases of disputed waqf properties. Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Minority Affairs who presented the bill, defended it by claiming that it seeks to address issues of corruption and mismanagement that have primarily benefited affluent Muslim families. Home Minister Amit Shah noted in Parliament that waqf boards controlled 18 lakh acres from 1913 to 2013, but an additional 21 lakh acres have been acquired in just the past 12 years. Critics, including opposition lawmakers and Islamic organizations, contend that this legislation represents a calculated effort to undermine the property rights of Muslims as guaranteed by the Indian constitution and to shift control over their assets. According to the Pew Research Center, India, which is home to over 200 million Muslims, is expected to have the largest Muslim population in the world by 2050.
