Waqf boards will be controlled, central government passed new law to bring transparency & accountability

National News:  The central government has taken a major step to ban the irregularities and arbitrariness in the management of Waqf properties. Parliament has approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, which the BJP government has described as a historic step towards "good governance". The opposition may be calling it controversial, but the government claims that the bill will ensure transparency, accountability and participation of all communities.

What is a new law?

Under the new law, the Waqf Board will no longer be able to declare any property as Waqf without a process. Section 40 of the old law, which gave them this right, has now been removed. This will prevent cases in which people's land was quietly declared as Waqf property.

Major changes

1. Elimination of Section 40: Now the Waqf Board will not be able to declare any property arbitrarily as Waqf.
2. New members will be involved: Waqf boards will now include backward Muslim communities, women and non-Muslims to maintain diversity and balance.
3. Digitization and audit mandatory: The record of all Waqf properties will now be digital and the audit of more than ₹ 1 lakh income has been made necessary.
4. Government and tribal land safe: Now no one will be able to claim such lands which belong to the government or tribal community.
5. The role of the District Magistrate under the supervision of the properties decided: Now the report of the District Magistrate will be necessary for registration of any Waqf property.

Center Govermnet's argument

The government says that this law is not against any religion, but for good governance and transparency. For a long time, misuse of Waqf properties, corruption and opacity have been revealed. This law will be closed and the real benefit will be given to the needy Muslim community, not some powerful monasteries or leaders.

Muslim organizations have opposed the bill

Opposition parties and some Muslim organizations have opposed the bill. He says that this law is interfered in religious matters and weakens the autonomy of the Waqf Board. In many places there have been protests against this law, especially in Silchar, Hyderabad and Assam.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 has been described as an essential reform by the Central Government which will ensure transparency and accountability in the Waqf system that has been going on for decades. The government claims that this law will strengthen the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', while opponents consider it an encroachment of power.