On April 4, 2025, India's Parliament approved a contentious bill aimed at regulating the administration of Muslim trusts, drawing ire and apprehensions over potential infringement on minority rights while citing a need for enhanced management.
India Enacts Controversial Legislation on Muslim Land Trust Administration
India Enacts Controversial Legislation on Muslim Land Trust Administration
The new bill allows non-Muslims to manage Waqf properties, raising concerns about religious discrimination.
The Indian government has taken significant strides to increase oversight over properties held by Muslim trusts, sparking a wave of criticism regarding the implications for minority rights. In a parliamentary session on Friday, the legislation, which permits non-Muslims to take part in the administration of Waqf boards, passed despite widespread opposition from various stakeholders who believe that this move could undermine the autonomy of the Muslim community.
Waqfs, established over a century ago, encompass a vast portfolio of more than 800,000 properties in India, which includes mosques, educational institutions, and burial grounds. Valued at approximately $14 billion according to a government study commissioned in 2006, these properties are significant to the Muslim community. The government's intention, as articulated by Kiren Rijiju, the Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, is to bolster the efficiency and accountability of Waqf management while preventing misuse of these assets.
Despite the ruling party's assurances that these changes are not a direct attack on Muslim rights but a move for greater transparency, critics argue that it is a thinly veiled attempt to exert control over Muslim land and properties. The current administration's approach marks a shift from previous legislative tactics, as this bill underwent extensive review periods and prompted significant debates prior to the voting process, reflecting an unusual deliberative effort in instances of contentious policies.
As the legislation unfolds, the implications for both the Muslim community and the larger socio-political landscape in India remain to be seen, amid ongoing discussions around governance, minority rights, and interreligious relations.
