New Delhi, India – The lower house of India’s parliament recently passed a contentious bill aiming to amend the management of properties donated by Indian Muslims over the centuries. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduces numerous changes to existing laws and has sparked intense debate and controversy.

Advocates of the bill argue that it will bring transparency to the management of waqf properties. However, opposition parties and Muslim groups view it as an infringement on the constitutional rights of India’s largest religious minority. The bill was approved in the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, and has now been sent to the Rajya Sabha for further deliberation.

The bill, first introduced last August, was initially met with opposition and was consequently referred to a joint parliamentary committee for review. The version that was eventually passed incorporated several changes proposed by the committee, despite objections from opposition members who claimed that their suggestions were disregarded in favor of those from the ruling party.

Critics of the bill, including Muslim groups, argue that it threatens to weaken waqf laws and potentially lead to the confiscation and destruction of waqf properties. In response, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi voiced concerns that the bill could undermine the Constitution, stigmatize minority communities, divide Indian society, and disenfranchise minorities.

Federal Home Minister Amit Shah defended the bill, dismissing claims that it would impede the religious activities of Muslims or their ownership of donated properties. The bill proposes the inclusion of two non-Muslim members on the waqf boards that oversee these properties, a provision that has faced opposition on the basis that non-Muslims may not have the same understanding or respect for religious institutions run by different faiths.

Waqf properties, which include mosques, madrassas, shelter homes, and vast expanses of land donated by Muslims, are governed by boards and are considered charitable or religious endowments intended for the benefit of the community. These properties, which are estimated to be worth billions of dollars, are integral to Islamic tradition and cannot be sold or used for purposes other than those stipulated by the donors.

The bill’s passage in the lower house marks a significant step in the ongoing debate surrounding its implications for the management and governance of waqf properties across India. With diverse perspectives and concerns at play, the future of the bill remains uncertain as it awaits further discussion and potential approval in the upper house of parliament.