- Centre to amend Waqf Act to prevent unauthorized land takeovers.
- Waqf boards must register properties with the district collectors for transparency.
- Cases of Waqf claims on temples, private, and government land raise concerns.
The central government is planning to introduce a Bill in Parliament to amend the Waqf Act, 1995. This move comes after concerns were raised about the unchecked powers of Waqf boards, which have been accused of taking over land, including private property, government land, temples, and gurdwaras.
The proposed amendment will make it mandatory for Waqf boards to register their properties with district collectors. This step aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties. Additionally, the law will require the inclusion of women in Waqf boards, responding to demands from the Muslim community.
Rapid Expansion of Waqf Properties
Initially, Waqf boards had around 52,000 properties across India. However, by 2009, the number of registered properties increased to 3,00,000, covering nearly four lakh acres. As of now, Waqf properties have grown to more than 8,72,292, covering over 8,00,000 acres—almost double in just 13 years.
The Waqf Act was first passed in 1954 and later replaced by the Waqf Act, 1995. This law granted extensive powers to Waqf boards. In 2013, an amendment further strengthened their authority, allowing them to claim properties without legal challenge. Section 3 of the Act states that if the Waqf board “thinks” a property belongs to a Muslim, it automatically becomes Waqf property, without requiring any proof.
There have been multiple cases where Waqf boards have staked claims over land without clear evidence:
- In Tamil Nadu, Waqf authorities claimed ownership of a 1,500-year-old temple and its 369 acres of land.
- In Rajasthan, despite owning 18,000 properties, the Waqf Board sought financial aid from the government.
- In Gujarat, the Waqf Board tried to claim two islands near Bet Dwarka, but the Gujarat High Court rejected the plea.
The government’s amendment aims to bring accountability and prevent such misuse of land in the future.
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