The Central Government introduced the Waqf Act Amendment Bill-2025 in the Lok Sabha, with Speaker Om Birla allowing discussion despite strong objections from the opposition. Union Home Minister Amit Shah countered the opposition's criticisms, highlighting that the bill was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) at their own insistence.
During the debate, N.K. Premachandan of the Revolutionary Socialist Party raised concerns about the committee's authority to introduce new provisions, arguing that only recommendations can be made, not new rules. Amit Shah responded by asserting that the committee’s authority would be meaningless if it couldn’t express its views and that the JPC is not a mere rubber stamp, unlike during the Congress regime.
Speaker Om Birla quoted the parliamentary manual by M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdhar, confirming the committee’s authority to amend, restructure, or rename the bill as necessary. The bill, scrutinized by a committee led by BJP MP Jagadambika Paul, was submitted on February 13 and approved by the Cabinet on February 19.
Opposition MPs accused the committee of disregarding their suggestions, alleging that their dissenting voices were excluded from the final report. While the committee accepted 14 changes proposed by NDA MPs, it rejected 44 amendments suggested by opposition members. Key amendments include allowing non-Muslims to be appointed as CEOs of the Wakf Board, permitting state governments to appoint non-Muslim members to the board, and requiring property registration in a central database within six months.
The amendment bill seeks to streamline the registration process, improve maintenance of Wakf records using technology, and redefine Wakf to enhance administrative efficiency. The Wakf Act, 1995, which governs approximately 8.7 lakh properties valued at around Rs. 1.2 lakh crore, has faced criticism over issues like corruption and encroachment.
