Amendment Bill for Waqf Act to Be Introduced in Lok Sabha Today

The government has decided to withdraw the Waqf Properties Bill, 2014 (file). The bill aims to address issues related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties and removal of encroachments.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is set for introduction by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in Lok Sabha on Thursday. Samajwadi Party sources state that the party will oppose the Waqf Bill in Parliament.

The Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants), Bill, 2014, introduced in Rajya Sabha in February 2014, during the Congress-led UPA government, is now listed for withdrawal from Rajya Sabha on Thursday. In addition to introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Rijiju will also introduce The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which aims to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to rename the Waqf Act, 1995 as the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995. It aims to define “waqf” clearly and ensure that the creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not deny inheritance rights to women.

The bill also aims to make changes to provisions relating to the “waqf by user,” the functions of the Survey Commissioner, the composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards, and ensure representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims. The bill seeks to establish a separate Board of Auqaf for Boharas and Aghakhanis and make reforms to the Tribunal structure.

*(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed. )*