Tensions have flared across several states following the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which introduces significant changes to the management of Waqf properties, both land and assets, dedicated under Islamic law for religious or charitable purposes.
The new law, which was meant to enhance transparency and curb mismanagement, has sparked protests from Muslim communities and opposition leaders who argue it undermines religious autonomy and poses risks to communal harmony.
So, what are the changes?
Waqf properties, rooted in Islamic tradition, are endowments made by individuals for purposes like maintaining mosques and schools or supporting the underprivileged.
India is home to over 870,000 registered Waqf properties, spanning millions of acres, making it one of the largest holders of such endowments globally. Historically, these assets have been governed by the Waqf Act of 1995, but issues like encroachments, corruption, and disputes over ownership have long plagued their administration.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed after heated debates in Parliament, introduces reforms to address these challenges. Key changes include mandating digital registration of Waqf properties, empowering district collectors to resolve ownership disputes, and allowing non-Muslims to serve on Waqf boards to promote inclusivity.
The law also requires that only individuals practicing Islam for at least five years can declare a Waqf, aimed at preventing fraudulent claims. Additionally, it scraps the concept of ‘Waqf by user,’ where properties could be recognized as Waqf based on long-term use, to avoid arbitrary land designations.
Unrest
The amendments have triggered widespread unrest, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, where Waqf properties are significant.
In Hyderabad, thousands gathered on April 10, 2025, led by community leaders, to protest what they call an infringement on religious rights. Demonstrators express fears that involving non-Muslims in Waqf governance could dilute the community’s control over sacred sites like mosques and graveyards, many of which lack formal documentation due to historical oral traditions.
In Tamil Nadu, a flashpoint emerged after reports surfaced of villages facing uncertainty over land ownership due to past Waqf claims. Protesters in Chennai on April 12 burned effigies of government officials, demanding the law’srepeal. Clashes with police were reported in Lucknow, where authorities used tear gas to disperse crowds blocking major roads. At least 20 injuries were reported, with local hospitals on high alert.
Opposition parties, including the Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad Muslimeen (AIMIM), have accused the government of pushing a divisive agenda.
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi opined that the law threatens the very fabric of the country’s secular constitution by targeting Muslim institutions.
Critics also argue that the five-year practice clause unfairly excludes recent converts and lacks clarity on enforcement.
Government’s response
The government defended the reforms as necessary to modernize Waqf management.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the law aims to benefit marginalized Muslims, particularly women and children, by ensuring resources fund education, healthcare, and welfare programs. ‘This is about accountability, not religion,’ Mr. Rijiju said in a press conference on April 7, 2025.
The inclusion of women in Waqf boards and safeguards for female inheritance rights have been hailed as progressive steps.
Supporters, including some Muslim scholars, pointed out that digitization and oversight could curb corruption, citing past scandals like illegal land transfers by Waqf officials.