Amit Shah defends Waqf Amendment Bill, accuses opposition of fearmongering

DELHI: The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah launching a strong defence of the proposed legislation. Shah said the bill was meant to bring transparency and accountability in the management of waqf properties, and accused the opposition of misleading minority communities for political gain.

Bill Aims for Transparency, Not Targeting Minorities: Shah

Shah clarified that the bill had no provision for involving non-Islamic individuals in waqf affairs. He said the legislation was designed to ensure that waqf properties, which are endowed for religious purposes under Islamic traditions, are managed in accordance with their intended purpose.

He said, “The Waqf Amendment Bill is for the poor, not for theft. One member said minorities will not accept it—are you issuing threats? This is a law passed by Parliament, and it will have to be accepted.”

Shah added that “waqf” is an Arabic term referring to property donated for religious purposes, and such donations can only be made from one’s own rightful holdings. He alleged that minorities were being misled for vote bank politics and emphasised that waqf should be managed by those who follow Islam.

Opposition’s 2013 Amendments Led to Massive Irregularities, Says Minister

Shah blamed the Congress-led UPA government for introducing what he called “appeasement amendments” to the Waqf Act in 2013. He said those changes, made just before the 2014 general elections, resulted in significant misuse and misallocation of waqf properties.

He highlighted that 123 high-profile properties in Delhi’s Lutyens’ Zone were handed over to the Waqf Board as a result of these amendments. From 1913 to 2013, waqf land totalled 18 lakh acres, but from 2013 to 2025, this increased to 21 lakh acres—something Shah attributed to legislative misuse.

He cited examples from various states:

• In Tamil Nadu, 12 villages covering 250 hectares were claimed as waqf land.
• A temple’s 400-acre property was declared waqf.
• In Karnataka, 29,000 acres were leased out; properties worth ₹2 lakh crore were given on 100-year leases to private institutions between 2001 and 2012.
• In Bengaluru, the High Court had to intervene to stop the seizure of 602 acres.

Shah also mentioned that 500 acres were leased to a five-star hotel for ₹12,000 per month and questioned the disappearance of 20,000 leased properties from official records.

Collector to Verify Ownership of Waqf Land Under New Law

The Waqf Amendment Bill proposes empowering district collectors to verify ownership of waqf properties—something Shah defended as standard practice across religious trusts. He argued that just as Hindu or Christian trusts are managed by members of the respective faiths, waqf must be overseen by Muslims.

“Tell me, if land is to be bought for a temple, who decides the ownership? The collector. Then why object if the collector checks whether waqf land is government-owned?” Shah asked. He also emphasised that new waqf registrations must be made transparently, with proof of ownership and proper documentation.

Shah said that the Waqf Amendment Bill enables court challenges to waqf board decisions, introduces transparent audits, and mandates the publication of balance sheets, ensuring accountability in waqf administration. He assured that land belonging to tribals, ASI-protected sites, and private properties would be safeguarded.

Shah addressed opposition concerns over previous legislation, saying that earlier laws were aimed at appeasement and lacked transparency. “You said waqf board orders couldn’t be challenged. Now, this bill allows legal recourse in any court.”

He added that the BJP’s governance model is based on justice, not vote banks. “We gave 33 percent reservation to women. We provided gas, toilets, drinking water, electricity, homes, and ₹5 lakh insurance cover to the poor.”

Responding to past criticisms regarding the Ram Temple, triple talaq, and CAA, Shah said none of the dire warnings issued by opponents had come true. “They said blood would flow over the Ram Temple. That Muslims would lose citizenship under CAA. If even one Muslim lost citizenship, present the proof in this House.”

He reiterated that the Waqf Amendment Bill ensures fair governance and transparency in waqf affairs. “Waqf is meant for religious service, not personal gain. This law is for justice, not politics.”