After nearly 12 hours of intense debate, the WAQF (Amendment) Act, passed in Lok Sabha in 2024

Lok Sabha passed the WAQF (Amendment) bill of 2024 after hours of heated debate during the Parliamentary Budget Meeting.

The bill was proposed by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, aims to improve the management of WAQF Properties through technology-oriented management by addressing existing complexities and ensuring transparency in the operation of WAQF institutions.

Fury in Parliament

The list of WAQF amendments was discussed for nearly 12 hours on Wednesday, triggering a fierce showdown between the NDA and Lok Sabha’s opposition in Wednesday’s Lok Sabha.

Congressional leaders, including KC Venugopal, raised objections to the bill, accusing the government of promoting legislation without sufficient time to make amends. Venugopal believes that the bill lacks proper consultation and should be reconsidered to allow members to propose changes.

On the other hand, the Union’s interior minister Amit Shah defended the bill and attacked the opposition’s position. He rejected the opposition’s claim to bypass the legislative process and noted that the bill was the result of extensive consultations through the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which included inputs from 284 delegations and the WAQF board, from 25 states and coalition territories.
Meanwhile, Speaker Om Birla assured that the government is willing to consider amendments from both sides, which will help maintain order in the turbulent debate.
However, the opposition continues to boycott and accuse the center of attempts to “dilute, slander, deprive and disenfranchise minority communities.”

Change the current bill

The WAQF (Amendment) Act, 2024, includes several key changes to simplify management of WAQF properties and improve their oversight.

One of the main changes is the renaming of the bill into the unified WAQF Administrative Authorization, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act. According to Union Minister Rijiju, the new name symbolizes a sense of hope and empowerment, reflecting the government’s commitment to reforming the WAQF system.

The key features of the newly revised include:

1. Digitalization and technology integration: The bill recommends the use of digital tools to automate the registration, audit and litigation processes related to WAQF attributes, thereby increasing efficiency and transparency.
2. Increase supervision and accountability: The bill strengthens the WAQF court and board of directors to resolve land disputes more effectively and ensure compliance with the law.
3. The role of non-Muslims in WAQF governance: Contrary to the opposition’s claim, Shah clarified that there is no provision for the inclusion of non-Muslims in religious activities related to WAQF, but they may be involved in the management of WAQF property. He stressed that non-Muslims will only participate in the management of property and not in religious affairs.
4. Collectors’ right to investigate land ownership: The bill grants collectors the power to investigate whether WAQF land belongs to the government. The provision has been a point of debate, which the opposition believes may lead to greater control over religious characteristics by the state. However, Shah defended this, saying that similar procedures were followed when purchasing land for temples, churches and Goodvalas.
5. WAQF Council and Board of Directors Reform: The bill enhances the representation of women and non-Muslims in WAQF institutions, aiming to make them more inclusive and efficient.