Protesters rally nationwide against the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, demanding transparency and land rights reform.
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 has triggered widespread debate after its passage in Parliament, with supporters praising transparency reforms and critics warning of constitutional violations. This controversial legislation has now become a focal point in India’s policy and political discourse.
Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 redefines religious land governance
The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 modifies key provisions of the original Waqf Act of 1995. Its main changes include restructuring of Waqf Tribunals, mandatory inclusion of non-Muslim members in governing bodies, and new ownership verification requirements for Waqf properties.
These changes, according to the PRS Legislative Research, aim to streamline administration and increase transparency in the management of Waqf assets across India. The bill removes the requirement of a Muslim law expert in Waqf Tribunals and allows a district judge and state-appointed official to handle disputes.
The government argues this structure will curb corruption and bring neutrality in legal disputes concerning Waqf properties, which comprise over 6 lakh acres of land.
Supporters say Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 promotes inclusivity and transparency
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, while introducing the bill, stated that the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards will ensure “diversity and accountability”. He emphasized that the amendments are designed to remove existing inefficiencies and modernize the Waqf framework, in line with government reform policies.
According to Business Standard, proponents claim the bill will prevent misuse of religious lands and reduce encroachments, thereby protecting public interest and streamlining legal processes related to Waqf properties.
The BJP-led government calls the amendment a “step toward reforming archaic land governance systems”, positioning it alongside other high-impact economic and land reforms introduced since 2014.
Opposition and Muslim groups label the bill as unconstitutional
On the other hand, several Muslim leaders and opposition MPs have decried the bill as an attack on minority rights. They argue that the amendments violate Article 26 of the Constitution, which guarantees religious communities the right to manage their own institutions.
According to Al Jazeera, prominent opposition parties have pledged to challenge the bill in the Supreme Court. Activists claim that the requirement for ownership documentation could lead to the de-notification or seizure of centuries-old Waqf lands, many of which lack modern paperwork.
A report by Reuters confirms that protests have erupted in several cities, with community leaders warning that the bill represents an “erosion of religious autonomy.”
Legal experts also question the removal of Muslim representation from Waqf tribunals, stating that it could violate established principles of religious jurisprudence and procedural justice.
What’s Next?
While the President’s assent is awaited, legal petitions are already being drafted. Meanwhile, the issue has become deeply politicized, with some analysts calling it a 2025 Lok Sabha election flashpoint. The government defends the bill as a reformative measure, while the opposition paints it as an infringement on religious rights.
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