Waqf Bill becomes law after getting president's nod amid criticism by opposition

The Waqf Bill — passed after intense and lengthy debates in both Houses of the Indian Parliament — has now officially become law after receiving President Droupadi Murmu’s assent.

This means the bill has cleared all legislative hurdles and is ready to be implemented.

The law will come into force on the date when the central government issues its notification in the official gazette.

“The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on April 5, 2025, and is hereby published for general information: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025,” the government said in a notification.

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi says this law is aimed at stopping favouritism at the Waqf board and misuse of its properties. The ruling alliance, National Democratic Alliance, insists it’s not against any religion.

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Meanwhile, opposition parties and Muslim leaders in India have labelled the legislation anti-Muslim.

The amendment to the Waqf Bill came after six months of discussions, including input from a joint parliamentary committee.

In the Rajya Sabha, the upper house, the bill was passed with 128 votes in favour and 95 against.

Earlier, in the Lok Sabha, the bill got the green light with 288 members supporting it and 232 opposing.

Law challenged in Supreme Court

Opposition parties, including Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have approached the Supreme Court of India to get the law nullified, arguing it goes against the principle of India’s secular Constitution.

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan filed the petitions in the Supreme Court, alleging that the bill was a “blatant violation of the fundamental rights of Muslims”.

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The new law brings significant changes to the structure and authority of the Waqf Council. It mandates that the council must now include up to four non-Muslim members, with at least two of them being women. The government says the move is aimed at increasing diversity and representation within the council.

Additionally, the law gives more power to senior government officials by allowing officers above the rank of district collectors to have the final say in determining whether a property belongs to the Waqf or the government. This shift is expected to streamline decision-making and reduce local-level disputes over land ownership.

(With inputs from agencies)