The WAQF Amendment Bill 2025 - rebranded as UMEED ‘Unified Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development’ recently got passed in the Parliament after hours of debate. UMEED amends the WAQF Act that governs the management of properties donated by Muslims. The Waqf Board regulates and manages properties dedicated to religious and charitable purposes in India. The WAQF Act 1995 has long governed religious endowments in India. However, UMEED proposes big changes to the Waqf Act. What’s new? What’s controversial? Why is this bill being opposed? Take a look.
05 April,2025 07:47 PM IST
Amid the ongoing controversy over the WAQF Amendment Bill, 2025, All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board extended support to the Bill. All India Muslim Women's Personal Law Board President Shaista Amber on April 05 said “Positive work should be done. Earlier governments and religious leaders should have taken the step that the government has taken today... Those who donate to the Waqf, their intention is that their donation will be used for the poor...But it was not happening. It's not that all the Waqf lands were misused, but the Waqf board didn't work honestly and did not do what they should have. We expect and request from the government that if the bill has come, the Waqf lands be used for the poor section with full transparency... None of the govt to date worked for the Muslims, and they just did the politics for votes. We request the BJP govt to provide the rights of women and bring transparency to the Waqf board. What other parties did till now, were they asleep? I request the current government that whatever happened to date, they should now help free the lands of Waqf, which have been illegally encroached, an investigation must be done, and action must be taken against the culprits...,” said Shaista Amber.
05 April,2025 06:28 PM IST
The WAQF Amendment Bill 2025 that recently got passed in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha is facing opposition from several Muslim organisations in India. This bill brings several changes to the WAQF Act 1995 which governs the administration of waqf properties in India. The bill got passed in the Parliament amidst a heated debate. To protest the bill, members of the Muslim community took to the streets in various cities. Visuals emerged from Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Bengaluru where they demanded rollback of the controversial bill.
04 April,2025 07:33 PM IST
WAQF Amendment Bill - rebranded as UMEED ‘Unified Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development got passed in the Rajya Sabha - a day after it was passed in Lok Sabha after more than a 12 hour intense debate. This bill brings revisions to the WAQF Act in order to safeguard against issues of mismanagement, lack of transparency, and land disputes that have persisted over the years. The government claims - the WAQF Amendment Bill - now renamed to UMEED - will bring greater accountability and efficiency.
04 April,2025 02:42 PM IST
In a strong show of protest, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, opposing the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024. The Board demanded the withdrawal of the bill, citing concerns that it could undermine the protection of Waqf property. The bill is expected to be introduced in the second half of the Budget session. Meanwhile, a Hindu activist from Meerut, visibly angry, expressed his frustration and slammed the opposition. He said, "The country is governed by the Constitution. What is this drama from the Opposition? They should listen to the government. We are hopeful that PM Modi and UP CM Yogi will bring this law forward."
17 March,2025 04:44 PM IST
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticized the Waqf Amendment Bill, calling it unconstitutional. He said it violates Articles 14, 15, and 29 of the Indian Constitution. Owaisi argued that the bill does not aim to protect Waqf properties but instead harms them and takes them away from Muslims. He strongly condemned the bill, stating it would cause more harm than good. Owaisi also mentioned that the Speaker of the House assured that 70% of the dissent reports from MPs would be included in the final version of the bill, but emphasized that the bill’s impact on Muslims remains a serious concern.
13 February,2025 05:50 PM IST
The WAQF Bill controversy has been doing rounds a lot lately. While Modi government has proposed an amendment in the WAQF Act, voices are being raised opposing the same. But why is a section opposing the amendments and what is the WAQF Bill in the first place. What are the key provisions of the WAQF Amendment Bill that are being opposed. Take a look.
29 November,2024 05:24 PM IST
The government has listed 16 bills for the winter session of Parliament, which begins on Monday. This includes a bill to amend the Waqf Act. Of the 16, five bills are for introduction and passing, while 11 bills are for consideration and passing. The opposition has demanded an extension for the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill to complete its work. JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal stated that the committee's report is ready, and they will hold clause-by-clause discussions. The bill has been referred to the JPC by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and the committee will follow his decision. The committee is expected to submit its report during the winter session, which will last until December 20 and include 19 sittings. Watch video
24 November,2024 04:17 PM IST
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress for its "appeasement politics" and accused it of passing laws to benefit certain groups. Speaking at a celebration of the BJP-led alliance's victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, Modi highlighted the Congress's actions related to the Waqf Board. He claimed that Congress ignored the Supreme Court's orders and handed over properties in Delhi and surrounding areas to the Waqf Board before leaving power in 2014. Modi stated that the Waqf law has no place in India's Constitution, which was framed by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and accused Congress of using such decisions to secure votes and increase its support base.
24 November,2024 01:05 PM IST
On September 29, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Smriti Irani sharply criticized the Waqf Board, asserting that the issue transcends mere property disputes. During her remarks, she highlighted instances where individuals faced harassment from the Board, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency. Irani’s comments reflect growing concerns over the administration of Waqf properties and the treatment of those affected. She called for reforms to ensure that the rights of citizens are protected and that the Waqf Board operates within legal boundaries. This statement underlines the BJP's ongoing focus on issues related to minority institutions and their governance, aiming to address grievances and improve the overall functioning of the board. Watch the video to know more details.
29 September,2024 04:22 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
