Current Affairs-Topics

Waqf Act Amendment Bill 2024: Reforms and Controversies

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to improve accountability, promote women's participation in Waqf administration, streamline registration, restrict board power, and ensure representation of Muslim communities.

Overview of Waqf and Proposed Changes

  • Waqf: Charitable donation in Islamic law, usually involving property for religious or charitable purposes
  • Waqf Boards: Manage Waqf properties in India, created under the Waqf Act of 1995
  • New Bill: Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to be introduced in Lok Sabha on August 8, 2024

Key Proposals:

    • Inclusion of two Muslim women and two non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards
    • Prevention of wrongful declaration of property as 'Waqf'
    • Mandatory registration of Waqf properties with District Collector's Office
    • Empowering District Collectors to resolve disputes between Waqf Boards and government
    • Establishment of separate Board of Auqaf for Bohras and Aghakhanis

Aims and Objectives of the Amendment

  • Improve accountability and transparency in Waqf board functioning
  • Promote inclusion of women in Waqf administration
  • Streamline registration of Waqfs through a central portal and database
  • Restrict power of Waqf boards to manage properties
  • Provide more government regulation
  • Ensure representation of various Muslim communities (Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Agakhanis, and other backward classes)
  • Address demands from within the Muslim community for reforms

Key Changes and Their Implications

District Collector's Role:

    • Mandatory registration of Waqf properties with District Collector's Office
    • Authority to decide whether a property is Waqf or government land
    • Power to make changes in revenue records and submit reports to state government

Dispute Resolution:

    • Appeals against Waqf board decisions can be made in respective High Courts
    • District Collectors to settle disputes between Waqf Boards and government

Property Classification:

    • Omission of provisions allowing properties to be considered Waqf without valid documentation
    • Government properties declared as Waqf will not be deemed Waqf properties

Central Government Powers:

    • Authority to direct audits of any Waqf by Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or designated officers

Controversies and Opposition

Criticism from Muslim leaders:

    • AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi warns of "administrative chaos"
    • Concerns about loss of autonomy for Waqf Boards
    • Fears of increased government control affecting Waqf independence

Opposition from Muslim organizations:

    • All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) strongly opposes proposed changes
    • Belief that changes would reduce Waqf boards' autonomy and legal status

Political Dynamics:

    • Waqf Boards are influential within the Muslim community
    • Various political parties, especially those supporting secularism, oppose reforms
    • Comparisons drawn to past issues like the Triple Talaq Bill

More Related Articles

Tourism Boost Vision 2029 India

The Government of India has introduced the Tourism Boost Vision 2029 India, an ambitious initiative to develop 50 world-class tourist destinations across the country by 2029. This plan aims to red

₹33,000 Crore Indian Navy LPD Project

In a landmark move to enhance India’s maritime defence capabilities, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Ltd (SDHI) have partnered under the Indian Navy

NBS Rabi 2025-26 Subsidy Rate

The Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme was launched on 1 April 2010 by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. The scheme provides subsidies on phosphatic and potassic fertilisers such as di-ammoniu

India-China Culture Shines

Rabindranath Tagore, one of India’s greatest literary icons, visited China nearly a century ago. During his visit to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, Tagore met with several Chinese scholars

India’s Service Sector Jobs 2023–24 Growth

India’s service sector jobs in 2023–24 have emerged as the most powerful employment engine of the country, playing a crucial role in shaping the Indian economy in 2023–24. Accord

PM Modi on India Cultural Unity Festivals

India's cultural unity festivals represent the living soul of our nation, symbolising how people from different regions, religions, and languages come together in celebration. In the

Vigilance Awareness Week 2025

Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 is being observed across India from 27 October to 2 November 2025, with the theme “Vigilance – Our Shared Responsibility.” This national campaign is

APAC-AIG Meeting 2025 in India

India is all set to host the APAC-AIG Meeting 2025 for the first time, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s aviation safety journey. This prestigious ICAO meeting will be held from 2

RBI 2016 Circular Withdrawal

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently announced the RBI 2016 Circular Withdrawal, a move that marks a major shift in corporate lending norms. This decision has attracted attention among bankers

India Spain Defence Cooperation

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has made history by becoming the first non-NATO nation to participate in Exercise Ocean Sky 2025, a high-intensity multinational air combat drill hosted by the Spanish A

Toppers

anil kumar
Akshay kuamr
geeta kumari
shubham