In a significant legislative move, Parliament passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the early hours of Friday after an intense 12-hour-long debate in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill, which had already been cleared by the Lok Sabha, received 128 votes in favour and 95 against in the upper house. With this, the long-awaited changes to the Waqf property management system in India are now set to take effect.
The government has renamed the bill as the ‘Unified Waqf Management Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Bill’ — aiming to bring hope and modern reforms to Waqf administration.
What is the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 All About?
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a major update to the Waqf Act of 1995, with a clear objective: improve the management, transparency, and efficiency of Waqf properties across the country. The bill is based on the findings of a Joint Parliamentary Committee led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, and aims to correct long-standing issues in the old system.
Key Reforms Introduced in the UMEED Bill:
Unified Waqf Management: The bill aims to streamline the existing Waqf system, making it more organized and efficient.
Empowerment of Waqf Boards: Waqf bodies will now have greater representation, including members from non-Muslim communities and women, to ensure broader inclusivity and transparency.
Use of Technology: A dedicated digital portal will be launched to handle registration, auditing, and litigation related to Waqf properties. This move is expected to reduce delays, corruption, and misuse of resources.
Development of Waqf Properties: The bill encourages modern development and better utilization of Waqf lands, ensuring they contribute more actively to community welfare.
A Divisive Debate in the Rajya Sabha
Despite the bill’s stated intent, the debate in the Rajya Sabha was anything but smooth. The discussion turned into a heated political showdown.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge accused BJP leader Anurag Thakur of making “wild allegations”, challenging him to provide proof or resign.
Opposition voices expressed serious concerns over the hurried manner in which the bill was passed. Congress leader Ajay Rai criticized the government, saying:
“The Waqf Bill was brought in haste. The government did what it wanted without listening to the opposition. They made promises to mislead people, but none were fulfilled.”
He also questioned the intent behind the renaming of the bill and drew parallels to other major decisions like demonetisation and GST, accusing the government of unilateral decision-making.
Allegations of Communal Targeting
Adding to the opposition’s criticism, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain called the Waqf (Amendment) Bill “unconstitutional”, claiming it targets the Muslim community. He further alleged that the bill could be used to provoke communal tension, and accused the ruling party of pushing an agenda under the guise of reform.
Government’s Stand on the UMEED Bill
The government, on its part, has maintained that the bill is a progressive reform aimed at better governance of Waqf properties.
“The Bill has been introduced with good intention, and the new name — UMEED — reflects the government’s aim to bring hope and transparency to the Waqf system,” a government representative said during the debate.
Conclusion: A Reform With Mixed Reactions
While the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 or the UMEED Bill promises to modernize and empower Waqf management in India, the lack of consensus and intense opposition debate shows that it remains a highly sensitive and politically charged issue.
As the Bill becomes law, the real test will lie in its implementation and whether it truly brings hope and efficiency to the management of Waqf properties in India.
