Waqf Boards Will No Longer Be Able to Claim Others’ Property

Key Highlights:

1. Government plans to amend the Waqf Act to limit the powers of Waqf Boards.
2. Proposed changes include mandatory verification of property claims.
3. Amendment bill expected to be introduced in Parliament on August 5.

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Government’s New Initiative

Waqf Board: On August 4, it was reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is set to introduce a bill to amend the Waqf Act. The bill aims to address the extensive powers of Waqf-Boards, which currently manage over 9.4 lakh acres of land.

Historical Context

The Waqf Act was significantly amended during the UPA-2 government, granting broad authority to Waqf-Boards to claim land. This has led to numerous disputes and challenges in reclaiming properties. The current administration is acting to curb these issues.

Key Amendments

The Cabinet has approved around 40 amendments to the Waqf Act. These changes will enforce mandatory verification for property claims, helping to prevent misuse and reduce disputes. The amendments are designed to limit the Waqf Board’s ability to unilaterally declare properties as “Waqf Property.”

Legislative Timing

The bill to amend the Waqf Act is expected to be tabled in Parliament on August 5. This date is historically significant for Indian legislative actions, including the removal of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and the Bhoomi Pujan for the Ram Mandir in 2020.

Current Situation

The Waqf-Board oversees about 8.7 lakh properties totaling approximately 9.4 lakh acres. There has been increasing demand from various community groups to reform the existing laws. This move is intended to address legal challenges and property disputes involving Waqf Boards.

Historical Disputes

Before the NDA government came to power in 2014, Congress had transferred numerous prime properties to the Waqf Board. This led to extensive legal battles to reclaim these assets. Recent disputes, including the claim of an entire village’s land as Waqf property, highlight the ongoing issues with property management.

This proposed amendment represents a significant shift in policy, aiming to restore clarity and protect property rights across India.

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