Waqf board bill 2025′ A boon for Pasmanda and Deprived Muslim

Author:Irsad khan

On 3 March 2025, a historic bill was passed by the Indian Government in the Indian Parliament. After which the opposition parties are trying to mislead their Muslim voters. At the same time, the opposition party is claiming that these bills are not in the interest of Muslims. Now the question is how the opposition party will decide whether this bill is in the interest of Muslims or not?. Let us know what is the Waqf Board Bill and its history and what benefit the Muslim community will get from it.

What is the Wakf board and its history

The Waqf boards were constituted in 1913, during the British rule. The Central Waqf Council is a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. It was set up in 1964 as per the provision given in the Waqf Act, 1954 as an Advisory Body to the Central Government on matters concerning the working of the Waqf Boards and the due administration of Auqaf. This act was later repealed.

The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted by the Indian Parliament, governs the administration of Waqf properties (religious endowments) in India, establishing bodies like the Central Council and State Waqf Boards to manage and protect these properties. The Act aims to ensure the administration of Waqf properties and related matters.

The State Waqf Boards are established by the State Governments. These work towards management, regulation and protect the Waqf properties by constituting District Waqf Committees, Mandal Waqf Committees and Committees for the individual Waqf Institutions. The Waqf Boards shall be body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with power to acquire and hold property. In the case that more than fifteen per cent of the total number of waqf property is Shia waqf, or the income thereof is more than fifteen per cent, the Act Envisages a separate Shia Waqf Board.

The another question arises here is whether there was transparency in the Waqf Board till now?. Did this help poor Muslims to get their rights? The answer is no because there has been a huge scam in the Waqf Board. For instance waqf scam in Karnataka, in which the opposition party leader Mallikaarjun Kharge is a key accused in that case.

In another case from Karnataka Zulfiqarulla, the Former CEO of the Waqf Board, has been accused of illegally moving funds worth 24 crore in a complaint filed by the Karnataka State Board of Auqaf.Similar incidents Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan in a money laundering case connected to the alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board recruitment during his chairmanship.

States like Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Karnataka have seen conflicts over Waqf claims on non-Muslim properties, such as ancestral lands and government holdings. For example, 5,973 government properties were declared Waqf across 25 states as of 2024.

After the introduction of wakf board bill 2025 Muslims around the country will be proper benefits and will get assurance that their rights won’t be affected.

Here are the benefits of the Wakf board bill 2025.

Enhance transparency and accountability
Curbing corruption: Digitalization of waqf board records and mandating audits for

institutions earning over 1 lakh annually aim to reduce mismanagement and embezzlement of Waqf funds. This Reclaimed properties (estimated at over 1.2 lakh crore) may generate revenue for poverty alleviation programs. could ensure more resources are channeled into community welfare.

Redirecting Funds: Reducing mandatory contributions to Waqf Boards (from 7% to 5%) may free up funds for local institutions to invest in schools, hospitals, and vocational training centers for marginalized Muslims.
Empowerment of Marginalized Groups

Women’s Rights Inheritance protections ensure women’s property rights are

prioritized before Waqf declarations, addressing systemic gender disparities. Scholarships, legal aid centers, and microfinance schemes target Muslim women’s economic and social upliftment.

Backward-class inclusion: Mandates representation for backward-class Muslims (e.g., Dalit Muslims) in Waqf Boards, ensuring their needs are addressed.

Reclaiming Waqf Properties

Combating Encroachments: The bill’s focus on reclaiming 58,898 illegally

occupied Waqf properties could restore land for community use, such as building schools, hospitals, or housing projects.

Economic Potential: Reclaimed properties (estimated at over 1.2 lakh crore) may generate revenue for poverty alleviation programs.

Strengthened Legal Framework

Efficient Dispute Resolution: Faster resolution of Waqf property disputes through tribunals could prevent long legal battles and ensure assets are used productively.

Protection from Land Grabs: Stricter regulations aim to prevent fraudulent claims on Waqf land, safeguarding community assets.

Social Welfare InitiativesEducation & Healthcare: The bill emphasizes redirecting Waqf funds toward scholarships, schools, and clinics for underprivileged Muslims. For example:

Scholarships for girls in STEM fields.

Subsidized housing for Widows and orphans.

Skill Development: Vocational training programs (e.g., tailoring, IT skills) could reduce unemployment among Muslim youth, who face higher joblessness rates compared to other groups.

Modernizing Waqf Governance:

Digitization: A centralized portal for Waqf records reduces bureaucratic delays and increases accessibility for ordinary Muslims to track property usage.

Inclusive Oversight: While non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards are argued to bring accountability and curb sectarian biases in decision-making.

Conclusion

Till now all the members of the Waqf were upper-caste Muslims. Why Will only the son of the Shahi Imam become the Shahi Imam? Why Will the Dargah be run only by Nizami, Chishtiya and their people? Or why will only Syed, Khan and Sheikh be in charge of the Dargah and the mosque? Islam and the Quran teach that all humans are equal in the eyes of Almigty God Allah. However, in among Indian Muslim society there is huge discrimination based on caste and sub caste. The wakf bill 2025 could modernize Waqf governance, empower marginalized Muslims (especially women), and unlock resources for community development.

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