New Delhi: The Modi government has embarked on an ambitious project to reform India’s Waqf legislation, akin to its past endeavors, such as the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This undertaking involves amending the Waqf Act of 1995 and repealing the outdated Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923. The Waqf Bill has been framed as part of the government’s broader ideological agenda, driven by the belief that current Waqf practices are inefficient and require modernization.
Upon assuming power on June 9, 2023, the Modi government promptly initiated work on Waqf legislation reform. Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju led the effort by analyzing international Waqf management practices in countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. This extensive research was pivotal in shaping the proposals to amend the Waqf Act and repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, which were introduced in Parliament on August 8, 2024.
The Bills underwent a rigorous scrutiny process via a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for five months. This move was strategic, aiming to address concerns from allies with significant Muslim constituents, such as the JD(U), TDP, LJP (Ram Vilas), and RLD. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertions that Waqf policies represent “appeasement politics” by the Congress, the government advanced its legislative agenda with precision.
The Modi administration is dead set on passing these Bills by April 4 as a hallmark achievement in its first year. The government views the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923 as outdated and ineffective in managing Waqf properties in contemporary India. By amending the Waqf Act of 1995, the government seeks to introduce more efficient oversight and updated definitions of Waqf, aligning them with global standards and ensuring better property management.
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