Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly defended the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, addressing concerns and refuting opposition claims that the inclusion of non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board would interfere with religious affairs. He categorically stated that non-Muslim members would have no role in managing religious institutions and that their responsibilities would be strictly limited to overseeing administrative aspects, ensuring transparency, and preventing financial mismanagement. He accused opposition leaders of deliberately spreading misconceptions to instill fear among the Muslim community for electoral gains, asserting that the bill was being misrepresented to create unnecessary panic.
Shah elaborated that the role of non-Muslim members would be to monitor whether the administration of Waqf properties and the funds generated through donations were being utilized correctly and lawfully. He stressed that the purpose of the bill was to strengthen the governance of Waqf assets and take action against those illegally leasing or selling off Waqf properties, which had resulted in a decline in income meant for the welfare of minorities.
He also criticized the Congress party’s 2013 amendment to the Waqf Act, accusing it of shielding Waqf-related disputes from judicial scrutiny, which, according to him, deprived affected individuals of their right to seek legal recourse. He argued that this move was driven by vote-bank politics and was responsible for the need to amend the law today. Furthermore, he accused the Congress of transferring 123 high-value properties in Lutyens’ Delhi to Waqf just before the 2014 general elections, alleging that this was a politically motivated decision aimed at appeasement.
Shah dismissed opposition concerns about the amendment having a retrospective effect, clarifying that the bill explicitly states that it will come into effect only after the government issues a formal notification upon its passage. He urged lawmakers to speak responsibly in Parliament and not mislead the public with baseless allegations. Concluding his remarks, he reassured the Muslim community that the amendment was designed solely to improve transparency and accountability in Waqf management, not to interfere with religious practices.
