In Srinagar, India, discussions have commenced in the nation’s parliament over a contentious initiative put forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist administration. The proposal aims at amending the laws that oversee Muslim land endowments within the country. Central to the bill is the introduction of non-Muslims to the boards that govern waqf land endowments and elevating the government’s role in verifying these land holdings. The government argues that these modifications will combat corruption, mismanagement, and promote diversity, but opponents are concerned that it might further erode the rights of India’s Muslim minority and possibly lead to the expropriation of historic mosques and other properties.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, unveiled by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, seeks to amend the 1995 statute that established the guidelines for these foundations and formed state-level boards for their administration. The debate within the lower house is anticipated to be fervent, especially with the Congress-led opposition staunchly objecting to the proposal. Though Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party lacks an outright majority, it might be able to rely on allied parties to see the bill through. Both the BJP and Congress have instructed their legislators to attend the session.
Should the bill pass in the lower house, it will proceed to the upper house before being forwarded to President Droupadi Murmu for approval, a vital step for it to be enacted as law. The proposal has stirred considerable controversy, with numerous Muslim organizations and opposition factions denouncing it as discriminatory and politically driven. They argue it represents an effort by Modi’s ruling party to undermine minority rights further.
The bill was initially introduced last year but was postponed for committee review following opposition concerns. The committee report surfaced on February 13 after objections from opposition leaders who felt sidelined during the process. Government officials counter that misinformation is being used to obstruct transparency and fairness in managing the endowments.
A waqf, in the Islamic tradition, represents a charitable endowment where a donor permanently allocates property for religious or philanthropic purposes. In India, waqfs oversee approximately 872,000 properties that encompass around 405,000 hectares and amount to an estimated value of $14.22 billion. Many of these properties have historic ties, often used for mosques, burial sites, and educational purposes.
The proposed changes to the waqf law stipulate that non-Muslims be included on boards currently managed exclusively by Muslims, akin to similar religious charity frameworks. A particularly divisive amendment involves potential alterations to ownership rules which could affect historic sites like mosques and graveyards, often devoid of formal documentation due to their longstanding donations.
Critics express concerns that mandating waqf boards to obtain district officer approval to confirm property claims could degrade the boards’ authority and potentially dispossess Muslim communities of their lands. Although it’s uncertain how frequently boards will need to validate these land claims, worries persist that this requirement could be used to challenge Muslim land tenure.
Despite recognizing issues of corruption and poor management within waqfs, many Muslims are wary of the new law, fearing it might grant excessive control to India’s Hindu nationalist government over Muslim properties. This anxiety is exacerbated by recent instances of intensified attacks on minority communities under Modi, where Muslims find themselves frequently targeted for their cultural practices and interfaith relationships.
International bodies have noted the deteriorating conditions of religious freedom in India, with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom highlighting in its recent report the propagation of hostile rhetoric by Modi’s party during electoral campaigns. While the government defends India’s democratic foundations and principles of equality, Muslims, comprising 14% of the nation’s 1.4 billion population and identified as the largest minority, remain the most impoverished according to a 2013 government study.