Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the Waqf Board Act Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha today, a day after it was passed in the Lok Sabha following a 12-hour debate. The amendments are intended to enhance transparency, protect tribal properties, and ensure better governance of Waqf assets.
Rijiju dismissed allegations from the opposition that non-Muslims are managing Waqf properties, citing the Sachar Committee report which highlighted the Muslim community’s challenges despite Waqf Boards owning vast land resources.
The Minister explained that reforms include prioritizing women’s participation in the governing bodies of Waqf Boards. The Central Waqf Board will now have 10 members, including at least two women, while State Waqf Boards will have 11 members, of which two must be women and up to three can be non-Muslims.
Additionally, Rijiju stated that Section 40 of the Waqf Board Act, which allowed religious institutions to claim any property as their own, has been repealed. The amendments prevent government land and properties belonging to Scheduled Tribes from being converted into Waqf assets.
The Minister clarified that these changes address the misuse of Waqf properties identified by the Select Committee in 2013 and are aimed at ensuring equitable management of Waqf resources for the welfare of the community.
