Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju Thursday introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha. This legislation proposes to rename the Waqf Act, 1995 to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995, and aims to amend the law governing Waqf boards.

The bill’s primary focus is to address various issues related to the powers of state Waqf boards, the registration and survey of Waqf properties, and the removal of encroachments. It seeks to improve the management and oversight of Waqf properties and ensure better efficiency.

However, the introduction of the bill has sparked concerns among opposition parties. On Wednesday, the opposition called for the bill to be reviewed by a parliamentary standing committee.

Key BJP allies have reportedly supported the demand, with Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Chirag Paswan’s LJP, both part of the NDA, proposing consultations involving all stakeholders.

LJP sources have indicated that while they have no objections to the bill itself, they believe a thorough review by a parliamentary standing committee is essential.

According to news18, LJP sources said that the bill should not be viewed as an attempt to seize Muslim land but stressed the importance of parliamentary scrutiny.

“The way this bill is being brought, I would ask if it has been discussed within their alliance (NDA). Have JDU and TDP seen this Waqf bill and have given their consent? If it has not been done, then it is only important that whenever such a bill comes, all the stakeholders, parliamentarians must be heard and amendments to be made if needed,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) MP (Rajya Sabha) Priyanka Chaturvedi.

With over 40 amendments, the new bill proposes to revoke several clauses in the existing Waqf Act, 1995, which governs Waqf boards. Among the changes, the bill includes provisions to ensure representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in both central and state Waqf bodies.

Critics of the bill argue that it may infringe on property rights and religious freedoms, potentially encroaching on state powers. Congress MP Hibi Eden said the bill could violate Article 300A by imposing restrictions on property rights without sufficient legal protections.

As of now, the standing committees of the Lok Sabha have not yet been constituted. If the government chooses to do so, a separate panel may be formed to review the bill. The bill was distributed to Lok Sabha members on Tuesday night ahead of its introduction.