The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 got the assent of President Draupadi Murmu on Saturday. With the release of the gazette notification in this regard, the name of the Waqf Act, 1995 has also been changed to Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (Umeed) Act, 1995.
वक्फ संशोधन विधेयक को मिली राष्ट्रपति मुर्मू की मंजूरी, कानून का नाम भी बदला
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed in the budget session by both the houses of Parliament, got the approval of President Draupadi Murmu on Saturday. With the release of the gazette notification in this regard, the name of the Waqf Act, 1995 has also been changed to Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (Umeed) Act, 1995.
Despite opposition from opposition parties and many Muslim organizations, the Lok Sabha approved it in the early hours of April 3 and the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of April 4. In the Lok Sabha, 288 votes were cast in favor and 232 against it, while in the upper house, 128 votes were cast in favor and 95 against it.
The main objective of the new Waqf law is to prevent misuse, discrimination and encroachment of Waqf properties. The government says that this law is not anti-Muslim, but its purpose is to ensure the proper management and protection of Waqf properties. After the signature of President Murmu, this law has now come into force in the whole country, which will give a new direction to the protection and proper use of Waqf properties. With the implementation of this law, there is hope of improvement in the administration of Waqf properties.
Let us tell you that this bill includes inclusion of non-Muslim members and women in the Waqf Board, digitization of Waqf properties, the right of survey to the Collector, and permission to appeal in the High Court against the decision of the Tribunal. Its objective is said to be transparency and efficient management.9
Among the reasons for the protest, the Muslim community and the opposition believe that this is an attack on religious autonomy. The appointment of non-Muslims is being considered interference.
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in the Central Government and Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in both the houses that this bill will not harm the Muslim community, but will benefit crores of poor Muslim women and children. Dismissing objections to the provision of at least two non-Muslim members in state Wakf boards, he said the number of non-Muslim members in the 11-member board will not exceed three. Thus, the majority will be of Muslims.
The first Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee after being introduced in the Lok Sabha due to objections from the opposition. The Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, incorporating the recommendations of the committee, was introduced in Parliament and passed. One of the biggest changes made was that this law will not be applicable with retrospective effect.
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