Parliament witnessed one of its longest and most contentious debates in recent history as the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed following marathon sessions in both Houses—14 hours in the Rajya Sabha and 12 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill cleared the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, and the Lok Sabha with a division of 288 to 232.
At the heart of the debate is control over India’s vast waqf properties—mosques, madrasas, shelter homes, and lands donated by Muslims for religious and charitable purposes. According to Islamic tradition, waqf properties are viewed as assets of God, to be managed for the benefit of the community, and are not to be sold or diverted for other purposes. India is estimated to have over 8,72,000 waqf properties spanning 9,40,000 acres, making it one of the largest religious landholders in the world.
While the government has defended the Bill as a necessary step to curb misuse and introduce reform, the Opposition—along with large sections of the Muslim community—has vehemently opposed it, calling it discriminatory, unconstitutional, and politically motivated.
One of the most vocal critics of the Bill is Dr Fauzia Khan, Member of Parliament from Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party, and the first Muslim woman to serve in the Maharashtra cabinet, way back in 2009. She is also a member of the Maharashtra State Waqf Board. In a candid conversation, Dr Khan described the Bill as “a death blow… a blatant attempt to finish off the minorities.” She added, “If a patient is ill, you treat the patient with the correct diagnosis. You don’t kill the patient. Here, in the name of reform, you’re killing the patient.”
“It is snatching away the autonomy of Muslims and centralizing the government’s control over Waqf properties. Simply put, it is a dacoity—a daylight robbery,” she said.
Dr Khan framed the Bill within what she described as a “larger narrative of hate” that is sweeping the country. “The entire narrative today is about demonizing Muslims—stopping educational scholarships, fictionalizing ‘love jihad,’ calling for economic boycotts, bulldozing homes, and producing films that polarize communities,” she said.
Referring to inflammatory political rhetoric, she accused senior leaders of legitimizing hate speech. “You have Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath using terms like kat mullah, and ministers shouting ghar mein ghus kar marenge and goli maaro saalon ko. This creates a deep sense of fear and makes it clear that the government’s intentions are suspect.”
While acknowledging the need for reform within the Waqf system—especially to address corruption and mismanagement—Dr Khan questioned the government’s approach. “Every Muslim wants reform. We’re not against it. But what the government is doing isn’t reform; it’s a takeover. These amendments reek of distrust and are designed to remove Muslim control from waqf administration.” “Muslims want Waqf lands to be used for community welfare, but they want support from the government—not its control,” she said.
A particularly controversial provision in the amended Bill is the inclusion of non-Muslim members in Waqf Boards. Dr Khan challenged this, arguing it violates constitutional principles and religious autonomy: “Why should people from other religions step in? Are there non-Hindus managing temple boards? Are there non-Sikhs in gurdwara management?”
Calling this move “unconstitutional,” she emphasized: “Muslims have a right to manage their religious affairs. If the government wants to support, it can do so from the outside—but it cannot take over.” “The acid test of any democracy is how it treats its minorities. Today, Muslims are being lynched, bulldozed, and jailed. This Bill adds to that despair,” she pointed out.
Still, Dr Khan acknowledged two positive aspects of the Bill—the digitization of waqf properties and the inclusion of more women in the Boards. “For these, the government deserves appreciation,” she said. However, she called for stricter penalties against those found guilty of corruption or misuse of waqf assets.
But her overall stance remains stark and clear: “This Bill is anti-Muslim. It will do tremendous damage to the community and set a dangerous precedent for minority rights in this country.”
As the dust settles on the bitterly contested legislation, voices like Dr Khan’s continue to echo the anxieties of a community increasingly feeling cornered—not just by law, but by the rhetoric and policy climate enveloping the nation.
—The writer is an author, journalist and political commentator
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