8.72 Lakh Waqf Properties Across 38 Lakh Acres: Parliament Passes Landmark Bill Amid State-Wise Data Revelation
- Parliament clears Waqf Amendment Bill after 25 hours of debate, awaits President’s approval
- India has 8.72 lakh Waqf properties spread over 38 lakh acres, with Uttar Pradesh holding the most
- Government pushes digitization and legal reform; only 1,083 properties have proper Waqf deeds
In a major decision, the Indian Parliament has passed the Waqf Amendment Bill after two days of long discussions. The bill was cleared after a total of over 25 hours of debate in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. It will now go to President Droupadi Murmu for final approval before becoming a law.
PM Modi Calls It a Historic Step
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the passing of this bill a “watershed moment” in the history of India. He said this new law will help improve the management and protection of Waqf properties. The government believes this step will benefit the minority Muslim community and solve many problems linked to Waqf land.
The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill by both Houses of Parliament marks a watershed moment in our collective quest for socio-economic justice, transparency and inclusive growth. This will particularly help those who have long remained on… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
For decades, the Waqf system was synonymous with lack of transparency and accountability. This especially harmed the interests of Muslim women, poor Muslims, Pasmanda Muslims. The legislations passed by Parliament will boost transparency and also safeguard people’s rights. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
The bill faced strong resistance from the opposition parties in Rajya Sabha. They called it “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional”. However, the government replied that it is not against any religion and is aimed at bringing reforms for better administration.
Voting in Parliament
In Rajya Sabha, 128 members supported the bill while 95 opposed it. Earlier, in the Lok Sabha, 288 members voted in favour and 232 voted against the bill. Despite the opposition, the bill got passed in both Houses.
The concept of Waqf in India dates back to the British period. The first law was the Mussalman Wakf Validating Act of 1913. Over time, more laws were introduced to manage these properties better. The Waqf Act of 1995 created Waqf Tribunals and gave them powers like civil courts.
Government Plans to Modernize Waqf System
The new Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 aim to modernize Waqf laws. The government has also started digital projects like the Quami Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS) and Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana (SWSVY). These schemes aim to digitize Waqf records and boost development on Waqf land.
Number of Waqf Properties in India
According to government data shared on March 14, 2025, there are 8.72 lakh registered Waqf properties across India. These cover a massive 38 lakh acres of land. However, only 9,279 ownership documents have been uploaded, and just 1,083 properties have proper Waqf deeds.
State-Wise List of Waqf Properties
Here is the state-wise list of major Waqf holdings:
- Uttar Pradesh (Sunni Waqf Board): Holds the highest number with 2.17 lakh properties. Total land area details are not available.
- West Bengal: Has around 80,480 Waqf properties, making it the second-highest in the country.
- Punjab: Comes next with 75,965 properties under Waqf.
- Tamil Nadu: There are around 66,092 properties managed by Waqf boards in the state.
- Karnataka: Has about 62,830 Waqf properties.
These states together make up a large portion of the total Waqf land in India.
Ownership Records Still Missing
Even though lakhs of properties are listed under Waqf, very few have proper documents. This has led to problems in ownership and management. The government wants to fix this through digitization and legal reforms.
The passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill is being seen as a big change in the way Waqf land is governed in India. While the opposition has expressed fears, the government maintains that this bill will bring more transparency and benefit the community in the long run. All eyes are now on the President’s nod, after which this bill will officially become law.
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