Political implications of proposed waqf law

IT IS NOW POSSIBLE TO CLAIM THAT WAQF INSTITUTIONS (AND BY EXTENSION, MUSLIMS) UNJUSTLY OCCUPY LAND DESPITE BEING A MINORITY

- Hilal Ahmed

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024, now with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further discussions and deliberation, is set to redefine the nature of political discourse in the country. The institution of waqf has long been seen by the Indian Muslim community as an internal religious matter concerning the management of religious land/property endowments (mosques, shrines, graveyards, orphanages, schools and so on). The Bill in its present form, however, can transform waqf into a national debate. There is even a strong possibility that the new waqf law could be used by some sections for further demonisation of the Muslim identity.

To understand the Bill's possible political implications, one must carefully look at the framework employed to define waqf institutions and the problems associated with their efficient management. In this sense, the provisions of the Bill should be understood in relation to another official document, the explainer issued by the ministry of minority affairs on September 13, 2024 (tinyurl.com/epekw35y).