Asif Nazrul slams Indian waqf law amendment
The Indian parliament has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, a contentious legislative move aimed at amending the management system of waqf properties—valued at billions of dollars—that have been donated by Muslims over centuries.
The bill, which seeks to bring significant changes to the administration of these religious and social welfare properties, was approved by the Lok Sabha on April 2 with a vote of 288-232.
Within 24 hours, it was passed in the Rajya Sabha after an intense debate, with 128 votes in favour and 95 against. The bill will become law once signed by President Droupadi Murmu.
Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has strongly condemned the passage of the bill, calling it another chapter in the systemic discrimination and oppression faced by Muslims and other minority religious communities in India under the ruling Hindutva ideology.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Asif Nazrul expressed his anger over the legislation, saying that it represents yet another anti-Muslim step by the Modi government. He highlighted that the new law allows non-Muslims to be included in the management boards of Muslim waqf properties and grants the government direct oversight of these assets.
“This law is feared to pave the way for the confiscation of many historical Muslim properties, including old mosques, using this legal framework,” Asif Nazrul warned.
He further pointed out the hypocrisy of the situation: “In India, people of other religions are not given a place in the management committees of Hindu temples. So why should non-Muslims be included in the waqf board?”
Asif Nazrul accused Hindutva groups of perpetuating discrimination against Muslims and other minorities while ironically accusing Bangladesh of oppressing its own minorities—a claim he dismissed as baseless and politically motivated.
In Islamic tradition, waqf refers to property donated for religious or charitable purposes, such as building mosques, madrasas, cemeteries, orphanages, and other welfare initiatives.
Once designated as waqf, the property becomes a perpetual endowment dedicated to Allah and cannot be sold or repurposed. This centuries-old system plays a vital role in preserving cultural heritage and supporting community welfare.
The history of the waqf system in India dates back to the 12th century during the Delhi Sultanate era when Muslim rulers from Central Asia introduced it.
Currently, waqf properties are governed under the Waqf Act of 1995, which established state-level waqf boards. These boards include government nominees, Muslim public representatives, members of the Bar Council, Islamic scholars, and managers of waqf properties.
Indian government data reveals that waqf boards are among the largest landowners in India. There are approximately 8,72,351 waqf properties across the country, covering around 9,40,000 acres. Their total estimated value stands at Rs 1.2 trillion (approximately $14.22 billion or £11.26 billion).
The BJP-led central government claims that the amendment aims to bring transparency to the management of waqf properties, addressing allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
However, opposition parties and most Muslim organisations argue that the bill undermines the constitutional rights of India’s largest minority community.
Critics see it as an attempt to dilute Muslim autonomy over their religious properties and fear it could lead to the encroachment of sacred sites.
Many fear that the new provisions allowing government intervention and non-Muslim inclusion in waqf boards could be exploited to seize control of historically significant Muslim properties, including ancient mosques and shrines.
Such concerns resonate deeply within the Muslim community, which views these properties not only as economic assets but also as symbols of faith and identity.
