India’s parliament recently passed a bill that amends laws governing Muslim land endowments, known as waqfs, by including non-Muslims on the boards that manage these properties and increasing government oversight. The government claims that the changes aim to combat corruption and promote diversity, but critics argue that it undermines Muslim rights and could lead to the confiscation of historic religious sites. Muslim groups and opposition parties have expressed concerns that the bill is politically motivated and could marginalize Muslims by altering ownership rules and requiring waqf boards to validate property claims.
The debate over the bill was heated in both houses of parliament, with opposition parties calling the proposal unconstitutional and discriminatory against Muslims. Despite the opposition, the bill was passed with support from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. This bill would add non-Muslims to the boards that manage waqf land endowments and give the government a larger role in validating their land holdings. The government argues that these changes will help fight corruption and mismanagement while promoting diversity, but critics fear that it will undermine the rights of the Muslim minority in India and could potentially be used to confiscate historic mosques and other property.
Waqfs are a traditional type of Islamic charitable foundation in which a donor permanently sets aside property for religious or charitable purposes. In India, waqf properties are controlled by semi-official boards, one for each state and federally run union territory. The proposed law would require non-Muslims to be appointed to these boards, leading to concerns from Muslim groups that such bodies should be governed by Muslims only. Critics worry that if the bill becomes law, it could impact historical mosques, shrines, and graveyards, as many of these properties lack formal documentation due to being donated without legal records decades or even centuries ago.
Opponents of the bill also fear that it could give the Hindu nationalist government in India greater control over Muslim property, as attacks against minority communities have become more aggressive under Modi. Muslims, who are the largest minority group in India, are often targeted for various reasons including their food and clothing choices, as well as inter-religious marriages. Last month, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom criticized the Indian government for propagating hateful rhetoric against Muslims and other religious minorities during the election campaign. Despite these concerns, the government maintains that India is run on democratic principles of equality and that no discrimination exists in the country.
While many Muslims agree that waqfs in India face issues such as corruption and poor management, they are worried that this new law could further marginalize them and strip them of their rights. Critics argue that the bill is an attack on the Constitution and could set a dangerous precedent for targeting other communities in the future. The bill has faced strong opposition from Muslim groups and opposition parties, who believe it is politically motivated and aims to weaken minority rights in the country. The bill will now be sent to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent to become law, despite the concerns raised by many within India’s Muslim community.
