Amended Waqf Bill to be taken up for passage, consideration in Lok Sabha on April 2

Amid backlash from Opposition, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is expected to be taken up for consideration and passage in Lok Sabha on April 2, reported ET quoting sources.

The bill will be tabled after the question hour tomorrow for consideration and passing and following which an 8 hour discussion will be held which is also subjected to increased, Union Minister Kiren Rijiu said.

The amendment bill has been strongly criticised by the opposition, which repeatedly called it "unconstitutional" and accused BJP's of attempting to "snatch" the rights of Muslims.


Sources told ET that major allies of NDA are likely to support it, as their suggestions have been incorporated.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, also called the 'Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development (UMEED) Bill,' aims to address key challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties.

The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments.

What is Waqf?

Waqf is the permanent dedication of movable or immovable properties for religious, pious, or charitable purposes as recognized by Muslim law. It implies the endowment of property, whether moveable or immovable, tangible or intangible, to God by a Muslim, under the premise that the transfer will benefit the needy. There is a central Waqf board and several state boards.

What is the Waqf Act?

The Waqf Act was first passed by Parliament in 1954. It was later repealed, and a new Waqf Act was passed in 1995, which gave more powers to Waqf Boards. In 2013, the Act was further amended to grant the Waqf Board extensive powers to designate property as 'Waqf Property.'