The legislation, which aims to overhaul the governance of Waqf Boards across India, was passed during the recently concluded Budget Session of Parliament. It cleared the Lok Sabha on April 3, followed by the Rajya Sabha on April 4 after a marathon 13-hour debate. The Bill received the President’s assent on April 5.

The government has positioned the amendments as “historic reforms” intended to promote transparency, streamline administration, and ensure accountability in waqf property management. However, the Act has triggered significant backlash from opposition parties and several Muslim organizations, who argue that it undermines minority rights and paves the way for increased state control over religious endowments.

A total of 15 petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Act have been filed, and the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear them on April 16.

The Act introduces key amendments to the original Waqf Act of 1995, which governs the administration and supervision of waqf properties in India. Central to the changes is the mandatory digitisation of all waqf property records by state waqf boards, which must be uploaded to a centralised digital portal. This is intended to ensure transparency, reduce encroachments, and improve public access.

In addition, the Act mandates the establishment of designated waqf tribunals to resolve disputes through a time-bound mechanism, aimed at expediting long-pending cases involving waqf properties.

While the government insists the reforms will benefit the community through better governance and social welfare delivery, critics argue that provisions such as allowing non-Muslims and women on waqf boards compromise the autonomy of religious institutions.