Page 7 - Waqf Board

Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb listed among Waqf properties, shows JPC list

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) informed JPC, headed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal, that 280 protected monuments have been listed as Waqf properties

No interference in Muslims' religious matters: Amit Shah on Waqf Bill

The ruling NDA on Wednesday launched a feisty defence of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha amid the opposition's charge that it was unconstitutional and targeted Muslims, as Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the government had no intention of interfering in their religious matters and was solely driven by the aim of transparent administration of Waqf properties. Shah's intervention came during the day-long debate that witnessed a fierce exchange between the two sides, with Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi alleging that the bill was an attempt to attack the basic structure of the Constitution, defame minorities, disenfranchise them and divide the society. Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in his opening remarks rejected the allegation that the proposed law was an interference in the constitutionally guaranteed freedom in religious affairs. The bill has nothing to do with religion, but deals only with properties, he said tabling the Bill, which was examined and

Explained: Section 40 of Waqf Act and why its removal sparked controversy

Section 40 of the earlier Waqf Act allowed Waqf Board the 'power to decide' if a property is a Waqf property or not. It granted the board authority to classify properties as Waqf holdings

Waqf Bill row: Lalu Yadav's 2010 speech resurfaces, fuels BJP vs RJD clash

As Parliament clears the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, an old video of Lalu Yadav demanding stricter Waqf laws resurfaces, sparking a fresh political clash between BJP and RJD

Give more flexibility to states to decide composition of Waqf boards: TDP

NDA ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Wednesday urged the government to consider providing flexibility to the states to determine the composition of Waqf boards. Participating in the debate on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti said the Centre while framing rules to the Act should consider providing flexibility to the states to decide the composition of Waqf boards. He hoped that the Centre would consider the suggestion of giving flexibility to the state governments with regard to composition of boards in their respective states in the interest of Muslim women, youth and downtrodden. This step will ensure the TDP's dedication of inclusive growth and welfare of communities, he said. The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995 to address issues in regulating and managing Waqf properties. Waqf boards oversee 8.7 lakh properties across 9.4 lakh acres in India, valued at Rs 1.2 lakh crore. The bill proposes removing Section 40 of the Waqf Act, whi

When Waqf land claims turned lives upside down in Kerala and Karnataka

For decades, families in Kerala's Munambam and Karnataka's Vijayapura have fought legal battles over land they have lived on for generations - land now claimed as Waqf property

'Muslims welcome it, you must see it': Rijiju on Waqf Bill. Top quotes

The Centre introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Parliament today amid protests from Muslim organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board

'Black law': AIMPLB to challenge Waqf Bill in court, plans protest

All India Muslim Personal Law Board members said they would organise protests across the country, similar to the farmers' agitation

Security tightened in UP's Muzaffarnagar after Waqf Bill introduced in LS

Security was tightened at sensitive locations of Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar as a precautionary measure, following the tabling of the Waqf Bill in Parliament on Wednesday, officials said. A flag march led by District Magistrate Umesh Mishra and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhishek Singh was conducted by the district administration in sensitive areas. The march covered key areas, including the Khalapar locality, they said. Drone surveillance is also being carried out to monitor the situation. Authorities said the situation in Muzaffarnagar has been peaceful so far. Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as proposed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee, in the Lok Sabha for consideration and passage. The bill seeks to improve the administration of Waqf properties, introduce technology-driven management, address complexities and ensure transparency. Opposition parties are strongly resisting the Bill, slamming it as unconstituti

Waqf Bill 1995 vs 2024: Key changes and why they matter, explained

From ownership rules to government oversight, the Waqf Bill 2024 changes key aspects of the 1995 Bill. Here's what's different and why it matters

'Why seek proof of Islam?' Congress' Gaurav Gogoi asks govt on Waqf Bill

Deputy Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi criticised the Waqf Amendment Bill, alleging it undermines constitutional values, and targets minority communities

'Pasmanda Muslims will benefit,' says Waqf Bill JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal

Labelling it as a "historic day", Pal said that the hard work of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which took stakeholders in several states in confidence, has paid off

Waqf bill an 'attack on religious freedom': Andhra Cong chief Sharmila

Andhra Pradesh Congress Chief Y S Sharmila Reddy on Wednesday condemned the Waqf Amendment Bill as an "attempt to undermine" the religious freedom granted to Muslims under the Constitution. She called the bill a "plot" to suppress minorities and a violation of constitutional values. The APCC president claimed that the bill was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agenda to allegedly hurt Muslim sentiments, terming it a "black day" for India and a means to incite religious hatred. In a post on X, Sharmila said, The bill's provisions allowing government officials to supervise Waqf properties and requiring documents for properties dating back 300 years are deeply concerning, adding that, the stipulation that individuals must follow Islamic practices for five years before receiving Waqf land is unacceptable." The bill not only disrespects the religious sentiments of Muslims but also allows the government to control Waqf assets and give them to Modi's allies, she remarked. Sharmila .

Waqf Amendment Bill: Does NDA have enough numbers to pass in both houses?

The Waqf Amendment Bill aims to bring changes to the way Waqf properties are managed in India. The government argues that it will bring more transparency and efficiency

'PM Modi stopped Waqf takeover of Parliament, airport lands': Kiren Rijiju

The Centre introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in Parliament today, amid protests from Muslim organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB)

Waqf (Amendment) Bill: Which parties support it and who opposes it?

The ruling BJP and its allies back the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, while the INDIA bloc opposes it, setting the stage for a heated debate in the Parliament today

Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha: What is a whip and how does it work in Parliament?

As parties issue three-line whips for the Waqf Bill, here's a look at what a whip means in India's parliamentary system and what happens if MPs defy it

'Entire opposition is against Waqf Amendment Bill,' says Cong's K Suresh

The bill will be tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing, after that, an 8-hour discussion will be held, which is also subject to an increase

Oppn warns JD(U), TDP over backing Waqf Bill, says 'blame will be on them'

JD(U) and TDP, on whose NDA government majority largely depends, have expressed their support for the bill

Waqf Bill up for debate in the Lok Sabha today: All you need to know

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes key changes to waqf property management, sparking protests from Muslim organisations and opposition parties over concerns of government control