Landmark Waqf reforms become law as President Murmu signs off—what it means for millions of properties

In a major legislative development, President Droupadi Murmu has given her formal assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, transforming both into active laws. The announcement, issued via Law Ministry notifications on April 5, follows their passage during the Union Budget session, where both houses of Parliament saw deeply divided votes along political and ideological lines.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 secured 288 votes in favour against 232 in the Lok Sabha, while the Rajya Sabha passed it by a margin of 128 to 95 after a marathon 13-hour debate. The legislation’s passage marks a pivotal moment in India‘s governance of religious endowments, particularly those relating to Muslim charitable trusts. The companion Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill 2024 formally repeals the colonial-era Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923, integrating all waqf-related governance under the revised Waqf Act of 1995.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the legislative milestone as a “watershed moment” in the pursuit of socio-economic justice, transparency, and inclusive growth. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said the amendments would empower historically marginalised communities who had long been “denied both voice and opportunity.”

How does the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 change the management of religious endowments in India?

At the heart of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 is a comprehensive overhaul aimed at improving the transparency, accountability, and management of waqf properties across India. Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, who introduced the bill in the Rajya Sabha on April 4, stressed that the legislation is secular in intent and has “nothing to do with religion.” Instead, it focuses entirely on property management—streamlining administrative mechanisms for better oversight of waqf assets, which now number over 872,000 across India.

Rijiju explained that the number of waqf properties has grown significantly from approximately 490,000 in 2004 to more than 872,000 as of 2024. These assets include mosques, graveyards, schools, orphanages, and real estate used for charitable purposes. He noted that after defence and railways, the Waqf boards collectively manage the largest land holdings in India. However, the management of these properties has historically been riddled with allegations of corruption, encroachment, and lack of public accountability.

By incorporating new provisions for technology-driven governance, the bill aims to digitise waqf records and improve property validation processes. The amendments introduce stricter monitoring measures, allowing the government to intervene in verifying land claims and disputes more decisively. Furthermore, the bill aims to bring representation from all sects of the Muslim community within waqf boards, promoting inclusivity in decision-making.

Why was the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923 repealed, and what implications does this have?

The Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923 was among the earliest legislative efforts to codify Muslim endowments during British rule. However, the statute had long been deemed outdated and inconsistent with the current governance framework established under the Waqf Act of 1995. The repeal aligns with the government’s broader aim of modernising and consolidating waqf-related laws under a singular statutory structure.

By eliminating legal overlaps and archaic provisions, the repeal bill ensures that all waqf properties, regardless of their date of origin, fall under one unified system of governance. This move is expected to reduce legal ambiguity, facilitate faster resolution of disputes, and pave the way for modern reforms in how such properties are recorded, monitored, and used for public benefit.

What are the key criticisms and concerns surrounding the new waqf legislation?

Despite government assurances, the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 has not been without controversy. Opposition parties and community representatives have raised concerns about the bill’s potential implications for religious freedom and minority rights. A central concern is that enhanced government oversight—particularly the expanded authority to validate or invalidate waqf land claims—could pave the way for arbitrary intervention, especially in cases where historical documentation is lacking.

Critics argue that many waqf properties, especially those established centuries ago, may not have proper land records due to the informal nature of historical endowments. The risk, they warn, is that the absence of documentation could lead to the denial of legitimate waqf status and eventual confiscation or repurposing of such lands.

Several opposition MPs expressed fears that the amendments could allow for the dilution of community control over religious assets. Although the government insists that the Waqf Board’s role is to oversee rather than directly manage properties, scepticism remains over the potential for misuse or bureaucratic overreach.

What broader impact will the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 have on property rights and governance in India?

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 sits at the intersection of property law reform, minority welfare, and administrative modernization. For decades, governance of waqf properties in India has suffered from systemic inefficiencies. These include outdated legal frameworks, non-digitised records, and frequent disputes over ownership, usage, and encroachments.

In theory, the newly enacted law could herald a more transparent era of religious endowment management. The emphasis on digitisation and unified governance mechanisms has the potential to strengthen public trust, reduce litigation, and unlock the socioeconomic potential of waqf lands, many of which remain underutilised.

Legal experts suggest that this reform mirrors the government’s broader agenda of integrating marginalised property ecosystems—similar to initiatives like the PM SVAMITVA scheme, which aims to digitise land records in rural India. The underlying logic is that clear title and formal recognition can catalyse investment, urban development, and social welfare, even when the properties are under religious ownership.

How have past governments addressed Waqf reform, and why is this moment different?

Reform of waqf institutions has long been acknowledged as a necessity across political regimes. Successive governments—both at the Centre and in the states—have appointed committees to study waqf management, the most notable being the 2011 Sachar Committee Report, which recommended the professionalisation and depoliticisation of waqf boards. The Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2013, introduced by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, was a step in this direction but fell short of resolving structural issues.

The difference in 2025 lies in the political capital invested by the Narendra Modi-led government to push these bills through Parliament despite visible resistance. The move aligns with the administration’s broader narrative of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” projecting the reform as a necessary correction for equitable development and inclusion.

By rebranding the legislative package as “UMEED” (meaning “hope”), the government has sought to shift the public narrative from controversy to optimism—though the real impact will ultimately depend on implementation at the state level, where waqf boards function as autonomous bodies.

As the new framework begins to take shape, the months ahead will be crucial in determining whether the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 can deliver on its promise of increased transparency, better asset utilisation, and empowerment of historically marginalised communities. Much will also depend on how sensitively the authorities handle the concerns around religious sentiment and legal due process, particularly in cases where historical waqf claims lack formal documentation.