Waqf Bill Discussion in Lok Sabha - 2025

• Waqf Board and Non-Muslim Members: On 2nd April, Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha. He called the 2013 Waqf Law amendment an example of appeasement politics, accusing Congress and other opposition parties of promoting the appointment of members of only one religion in the Waqf Boards and Councils, which he said was an attempt to divide the country.
• Allegations of Property Misuse: Amit Shah pointed out that the role of Waqf Boards and Councils is to catch and remove those who are illegally grabbing Waqf properties. He claimed that Waqf's income has been continuously falling due to properties being leased out illegally for up to 100 years.
• 2013 Amendment as Appeasement: Shah accused Congress of making extreme amendments to the Waqf Law in 2013, just before the 2014 general elections. He mentioned that the Congress government handed over 123 VIP properties in Delhi to the Waqf Board just 25 days before the election. He stated that if the 2013 amendment hadn't been made, the new bill wouldn't be necessary.
• Clarification on Waqf and Muslim Properties: Shah dismissed opposition claims that the bill would affect Muslim properties. He clarified that the Waqf Council and Board were established in 1995, not for religious purposes but for managing donated properties. He also explained that the term 'Waqf' refers to the donation of sacred properties in Allah's name, which has existed since the Delhi Sultanate and was later formalized during the British era.
• Non-Muslims and Waqf Boards: Amit Shah stated that under the previous provisions, no non-Muslim could be a member of the Waqf. However, the new bill focuses on the proper administration of Waqf properties without any religious intervention, and non-Muslims can now be trustees in the Waqf Boards.