{"id":125456,"date":"2024-08-09T19:16:38","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T13:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=125456"},"modified":"2024-08-13T09:59:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T04:29:09","slug":"waqf-amendment-bill","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/waqf-amendment-bill","title":{"rendered":"Waqf Amendment Bill 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">has been<\/span><b> referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><b> The Bill <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seeks <\/span><b>to amend the 1995 Waqf Act,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> proposing sweeping changes to how Waqfs are governed and regulated.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Bill met with <\/span><b>strong criticism from the Opposition parties<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who said the proposed law was <\/span><b>\u201cunconstitutional\u201d, \u201canti-minority\u201d, and \u201cdivisive\u201d.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"width: 100%; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: rgba(184, 165, 217, 0.53); text-align: left; vertical-align: middle;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt; color: #000000;\"><strong>About Joint Parliamentary Committee<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is <\/span><b>an ad-hoc Committee, established by the Parliament to conduct a thorough examination<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a specific subject or Bill.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It consists of members from both Houses as well as from the ruling and opposition parties and is <\/span><b>chaired by a member of the Lok Sabha (appointed by Speaker of the Lok Sabha).<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>About Waqf<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Waqf is<\/span><b> a personal property given by Muslims for a specific purpose <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014 religious, charitable, or for private purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-125799 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-59-1-66b9b5ed37db6.webp\" alt=\"Waqf (Amendment) Bill\" width=\"303\" height=\"398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-59-1-66b9b5ed37db6.webp 1270w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-59-1-66b9b5ed37db6-228x300.webp 228w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-59-1-66b9b5ed37db6-779x1024.webp 779w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-59-1-66b9b5ed37db6-768x1010.webp 768w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-59-1-66b9b5ed37db6-1168x1536.webp 1168w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 303px) 100vw, 303px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Historical Background:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The concept of Waqf (endowment) was introduced in India <\/span><b>with the advent of Muslim rule.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the <\/span><b>Mughal and Sultanate periods<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Waqf management was <\/span><b>centralised and theocratic in nature.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The earliest recorded Waqf in India<\/span><b> dates back to the Delhi Sultanate, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when<\/span><b> Sultan Muizuddin Sam Ghaor dedicated two villages to the Jama Masjid of Multan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and entrusted its administration to Shaikhul Islam.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waqf was also <\/span><b>closely linked to conversion and cultural appropriation<\/b> <b>in pre-British India.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Formation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A Waqf can be formed through<\/span><b> a deed or instrument or orally, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or a property can be deemed to be Waqf if it has been <\/span><b>used for religious or charitable purposes for a long period of time.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a property is declared as Waqf, its character changes forever, and <\/span><b>cannot be reversed.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ownership:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While the beneficiaries of the property can be different, the ownership of the property is implied to be <\/span><b>with God.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Course<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Governance of Waqf in India<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waqf properties in India are governed by the <\/span><b>Waqf Act 1995.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Legal Backing: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has had a <\/span><b>legal regime <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for the governance of Waqfs <\/span><b>since 1913, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when the Muslim Waqf Validating Act came into force.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,and then the<\/span><b> Central Waqf Act, 1954<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, was enacted, which was ultimately<\/span><b> replaced by the Waqf Act, 1995.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In<\/span><b> 2013, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the law was amended to <\/span><b>prescribe imprisonment of up to two years for encroachment on Waqf property<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and to <\/span><b>explicitly prohibit the sale, gift, exchange, mortgage, or transfer of Waqf property.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Maintenance of List:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Waqf law provides for the<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appointment of a<\/span><b> survey commissioner <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">who maintains a list of all Waqf properties by making <\/span><b>local investigations, summoning witnesses, and requisitioning public documents.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Managed by:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A Waqf property is managed by a<\/span><b> mutawalli (caretaker),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who <\/span><b>acts as a supervisor. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waqf properties are managed in a way that is<\/span><b> similar to<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> how properties under <\/span><b>Trusts are managed under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Under Judgment of:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Waqf Act states that any dispute related to Waqf properties will be decided by<\/span><b> a Waqf Tribunal.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Tribunal is<\/span><b> constituted by the state government, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>comprises three members:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>A chairperson who is a state judicial officer not below the rank of a District, Sessions or Civil Judge, Class I<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>An officer from the state civil services<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>A person with knowledge of Muslim law and jurisprudence<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Other Associated Organisations and Members: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The law also has provisions for the constitution and appointment of <\/span><b>Waqf Boards, Waqf Councils,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) for Waqf Boards in the states.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span><b> CEOs and parliamentarians<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who are part of the Waqf Boards <\/span><b>must be from the Muslim community.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>About Waqf Board<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-125795 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-60-1.webp\" alt=\"Waqf (Amendment) Bill\" width=\"304\" height=\"304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-60-1.webp 1562w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-60-1-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-60-1-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-60-1-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-60-1-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-60-1-1536x1536.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 304px) 100vw, 304px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Waqf Board is a body <\/span><b>under the state government, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which works as <\/span><b>a custodian for Waqf properties <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">across the state.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Coverage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In most states, there are<\/span><b> separate Waqf Boards for the Shia and Sunni communities.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 <\/span><b>Almost all prominent mosques in the country are Waqf properties<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and are under the Waqf Board of the state.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Membership: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Waqf Board is <\/span><b>headed by a chairperson<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and has<\/span><b> one or two nominees<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the state government, <\/span><b>Muslim legislators and parliamentarians, Muslim members of the state Bar Council, recognised scholars of Islamic theology, and mutawallis of Waqfs with an annual income of Rs 1 lakh and above.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Powers: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Waqf Board has powers under the<\/span><b> law to administer the property <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and<\/span><b> take measures for the recovery <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of lost properties of any Waqf, and to <\/span><b>sanction any transfer of immovable property<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of a Waqf by way of sale, gift, mortgage, exchange, or lease.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the sanction shall not be given unless at least two thirds of the members of the Waqf Board vote in favour of such a transaction.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Key Insights on the Proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-125800 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-61-1-66b9b5ea6fdaa.webp\" alt=\"Waqf (Amendment) Bill\" width=\"301\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-61-1-66b9b5ea6fdaa.webp 1270w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-61-1-66b9b5ea6fdaa-251x300.webp 251w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-61-1-66b9b5ea6fdaa-856x1024.webp 856w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-61-1-66b9b5ea6fdaa-768x919.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 301px) 100vw, 301px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill <\/span><b>seeks to substantially alter the existing framework of Waqf law.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The proposed amendment shifts the power of governing Waqfs from the Boards and Tribunals, which are largely run by the Muslim community, to the state governments.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Change of Name: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill seeks to change the name of the parent Act from the Waqf Act, 1995, to the <\/span><b>Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995.<\/b><\/li>\n<li><b>Alteration of the Definition of \u2018Waqf\u2019: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the Bill, <\/span><b>only lawful property owners<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who have <\/span><b>practised Islam for at least five years <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are authorised to create \u2018waqf\u2019 properties through the execution of formal deeds.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This revision <\/span><b>abolishes the \u2018waqf by use\u2019 concept,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which permits a property to be considered waqf based on usage, even if the original deed was disputed.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-125796 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-62-1.webp\" alt=\"Waqf (Amendment) Bill\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-62-1.webp 1562w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-62-1-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-62-1-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-62-1-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-62-1-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-62-1-1536x1536.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><b>Traditionally, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">waqf properties were <\/span><b>often dedicated orally until formal documentation <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">became standard practice.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Addition of New Provisions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It seeks to introduce <\/span><b>three <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new provisions in the Act:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Section 3A:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It states that no person shall create a Waqf unless he is the <\/span><b>lawful owner <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of the property and competent to transfer or dedicate such property.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This provision appears to <\/span><b>address the assumption that land that does not belong to an individual is not given as Waqf.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Section 3C(1):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It states that \u201cgovernment property identified or declared as Waqf property, before or after the commencement of this Act, shall <\/span><b>not be deemed to be a Waqf property\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Section 3C(2):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It <\/span><b>empowers the government to decide<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if a property given as Waqf is government land.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-125797 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-63-1.webp\" alt=\"Waqf (Amendment) Bill\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-63-1.webp 1562w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-63-1-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-63-1-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-63-1-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-63-1-768x768.webp 768w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-63-1-1536x1536.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><b>Unrecognition of Waqf Property:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> To prevent any <\/span><b>fraudulent waqf claims<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Bill stipulates, \u201cAny government property identified or declared as waqf property, before or after the commencement of this Act, shall not be recognized as waqf property.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proposed Bill, by <\/span><b>omitting the provisions relating to \u201cWaqf by user,\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> makes a Waqf property suspect in the absence of a valid Waqfnama.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Broad Representation:<\/b> <b>Women\u2019s representation has been mandated<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the new Central Waqf Councils and state Waqf state boards. There will also be<\/span><b> representation of different sections among Muslims like the Bohras and backward sections.<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The law <\/span><b>permits widows, divorced women, and orphans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to be beneficiaries of proceeds from waqf assets.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Power Reposed in District Collectors: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>responsibility of surveying <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">waqf properties, previously managed by survey commissioners under the 1995 Act, will now be<\/span><b> assigned to district collectors or officers of equivalent rank.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Revenue records are with the collector, hence should decide whether a piece of land is government land or Waqf land.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Centralised Registration System:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Technology will be used for efficient functioning and all Waqf documentation will be monitored by the ministry. This system is proposed to improve the <\/span><b>accuracy of waqf property records<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><b>All information<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> about waqf properties <\/span><b>must be uploaded to this portal within six months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the new law\u2019s enactment.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, any new waqf property<\/span><b> registrations must be submitted exclusively<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through this portal to the Waqf Boards.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>On Determination of Property:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Bill <\/span><b>omits section 40, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which previously granted waqf tribunals the authority to determine whether a property qualifies as waqf.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It designates the<\/span><b> district collector as the final arbiter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in such matters.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once a determination is made, the collector <\/span><b>must update the revenue records and submit a report to the State government. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill makes it clear that the disputed property cannot be treated as a waqf property till the collector submits his final report. This implies that <\/span><b>until the government decides the issue, a Waqf Board cannot be in control of the disputed land.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inclusion of \u2018Non-Muslims\u2019:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Bill proposed the inclusion of non-Muslims in key waqf institutions \u2014<\/span><b> the Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, and waqf tribunals.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Power on Appointment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It empowers the<\/span><b> Centre <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to appoint <\/span><b>three Members of Parliament<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (two from the Lok Sabha and one from the Rajya Sabha) to the Central Waqf Council <\/span><b>without specifying that they have to be Muslims.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similarly, as per the new Bill, <\/span><b>State Waqf Boards have to include two non-Muslims and two women as members.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the <\/span><b>1995 Act,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the three MPs to be included in the <\/span><b>Council had to be from the Muslim community.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Composition:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It has been changed<\/span><b> from a three-member body to a two-member body. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The tribunal will <\/span><b>now consist of a district judge and an officer of joint secretary rank<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the State government.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Time Frame on Resolution of Disputes: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the proposed law,<\/span><b> tribunals must resolve disputes within six months,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a <\/span><b>possible extension of an additional six months.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stringent Financial Oversight: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill<\/span><b> empowers the Centre<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to \u201cdirect the audit of any waqf at any time by <\/span><b>an auditor appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or by any officer designated by the Central Government for that purpose.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Waqf Boards are required to audit their accounts <\/span><b>annually, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">selecting auditors from a panel constituted by the State governments.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Penalties will also be levelled<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upon mutawallis (caretaker) if they fail to maintain proper accounts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Judicial Review: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proposed law <\/span><b>allows courts to intervene in waqf disputes.\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It <\/span><b>removes the finality of decisions made by waqf tribunals, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allowing aggrieved parties to appeal directly to the concerned High Court.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is aimed at i<\/span><b>ncreasing judicial oversight and curbing instances of arbitrary exercise of power<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Waqf Boards or tribunals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Need for the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill is about <\/span><b>bringing transparency <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in an institution, which is not a place of worship. The Waqf Board is made by law and if it starts malfunctioning, the government has the <\/span><b>right to introduce transparency.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Efficiency: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Sachar Committee report<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> said that Rs 163 crore are generated as annual income of 4.9 lakh registered Waqf properties and if these are efficiently managed, Rs 12,000 crore per annum would be generated.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Better Infrastructure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A joint committee under K Rehman Khan also said that the Waqf Board has inadequate infrastructure and manpower.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It added that proper documentation be maintained, there be <\/span><b>computerisation and a centralised database<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the same, and the Waqf Act be relooked.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Combat Encroachment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In the last year alone, 194 complaints were received about encroachment or illegal transfer of Waqf land and the present law for having no law of limitation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Better Justice Delivery: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>1976, a Waqf enquiry report<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommended that proper steps be taken to simplify the tribunal system to do away with too many pending cases.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also said that <\/span><b>audits and accounts <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of the Waqf Board were not proper and needed to be improved.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inclusiveness: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Misuse of the<\/span><b> &#8216;Waqf-al-Aulad&#8217; provision<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> denies inheritance rights to women and orphans in certain cases is another concern sought to be addressed by the bill.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Significance of the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024 will bring a lot of changes that are<\/span><b> aiming to improve Governance in India and enhance transparency.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> By addressing key issues in the existing Waqf Act of 1995, the bill seeks to bring about significant <\/span><b>administrative reforms and ensure more inclusive and efficient management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Waqf assets.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhanced Transparency: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill includes provisions to digitise records and create a centralised database. This will make it easier to track and manage Waqf properties, reducing the potential for fraud and mismanagement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Improved Governance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Administrative reforms proposed in the bill by the government will lead to more professional and efficient management of Waqf properties. This could result in better utilisation of these resources for charitable and religious purposes\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Protection of Waqf Properties: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bill aims to protect Waqf properties by regulating leasing and preventing encroachments. Unauthorised use and exploitation of these properties will be prevented, ensuring they are used for their intended religious and charitable purposes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Inclusion and Representation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Including Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf Boards is a step toward more inclusive governance, ensuring diverse perspectives in decision-making.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Efficient Dispute Resolution:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The new dispute resolution mechanism will help in resolving conflicts related to Waqf properties more effectively, reducing the burden on regular courts and ensuring quicker justice\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Amendments are not Unconstitutional:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The provisions of the Bill does not take away the freedom of any religious body protected under Articles 25 to 30 as the waqf board being a religion denomination and as per the <\/span><b>Bramchari Sidheswar Bhai &#038; Ors.v State Of West Bengal (1995), waqf board does not fall within the purview of Articles 25 and 26.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Challenges with the Proposed Waqf Amendment Bill 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following challenges has been raised by various experts:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-125801 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-64-1-66b9b5e8c2ada.webp\" alt=\"Waqf (Amendment) Bill\" width=\"300\" height=\"364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-64-1-66b9b5e8c2ada.webp 1270w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-64-1-66b9b5e8c2ada-247x300.webp 247w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-64-1-66b9b5e8c2ada-842x1024.webp 842w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-64-1-66b9b5e8c2ada-768x934.webp 768w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/unnamed-64-1-66b9b5e8c2ada-1263x1536.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Against Constitutional Values:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Various critics argue that the provision of the Bill that <\/span><b>non-Muslims can also be members of the governing council<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is <\/span><b>against<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the values of <\/span><b>Article 26 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provides <\/span><b>freedom to manage religious affairs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, subject to morality, health, and public order. It provides the<\/span><b> right to form and maintain institutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for religious and charitable purposes.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill is <\/span><b>violative of Article 14,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which ensured equality before law, as it was discriminatory against one religion.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is <\/span><b>against federalism as land is a state subject.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>1962, the SC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ruled that the <\/span><b>government should not interfere in religion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Excessive Executive Control: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive government control is<\/span><b> against the principles of economic liberalisation. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rights vested in waqf properties hundreds of years ago cannot be taken over by executive officers without fair judicial determination.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Undermining of Autonomy: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Waqf are privately acquired or inherited properties dedicated for religious purposes; interference of the government will undermine the autonomy of the waqf.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased centralisation of waqf property management and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inclusion of non-Muslims in waqf governance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> might undermine the autonomy of <\/span><b>Muslim religious institutions.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><b>Adverse Possession: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introducing the concept of adverse possession for Waqf properties raises concerns that Waqf lands could be lost due to bureaucratic decisions or misuse.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>An Action to Divide the Communities: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a concept of Waqf by use. There are various mosques including a 200-year-old mosque near Parliament for which no one knows about their deeds. This will <\/span><b>make the existence of every mosque difficult<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and can create a divide between communities and provoke violence.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"vc_button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pw.live\/batches\/upsc\/pw-only-ias?utm_source=seo+upsc+batch&#038;utm_medium=seo+upsc&#038;utm_campaign=seo&#038;utm_id=upsc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Waqf is a statutory body, and the amendments aim to enhance its functioning, transparency, and accountability.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The passage of the bill is expected to have a profound impact on the management of Waqf properties in India, ensuring that they are used for their <\/span><b>intended purposes and benefiting the community at large.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the<\/span><b> amendments are a welcome step,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> it is<\/span><b> crucial to implement measures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that adequately protect waqf properties without infringing upon the<\/span><b> freedom of religion guaranteed under Article 25 (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion) of the Constitution.\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table style=\"width: 100.04%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 138.114%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Must Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Daily Editorials<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.5779%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-textbooks?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Textbooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.5779%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-modules?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Modules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books\/upsc-previous-year-papers?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+Previous+Year+Papers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.5779%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/upsc-test-series-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UPSC Test Series 2024<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 50.5357%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 87.5779%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily Main Answer Writing<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 138.114%; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;\" colspan=\"2\"><a href=\"https:\/\/store.pw.live\/govt-entrance-exams\/upsc-books?utm_source=SEO&#038;utm_medium=PW+Live&#038;utm_campaign=UPSC+CSE+Books\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 has been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament. The Bill seeks to amend the 1995 Waqf Act, proposing sweeping changes to how Waqfs are governed and regulated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":125893,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2084],"subject":[2124],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/125456"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=125456"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/125456\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125851,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/125456\/revisions\/125851"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/125893"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125456"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=125456"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=125456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}