April 14, 2025 | Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025

In a groundbreaking move that aims to shift the balance of power and representation in India’s Waqf property management, the Modi government recently passed the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. This reform has sparked significant attention, especially among Muslim women, as it promises to address long-standing issues of exclusion, mismanagement, and lack of transparency in the Waqf system.

A New Dawn for Muslim Women’s Rights

The Waqf (Amendment) Act is more than just a legislative change; it represents a much-needed opportunity for empowerment. For decades, Muslim women have been marginalized in decision-making processes, especially when it comes to Waqf properties — valuable assets meant for funding mosques, schools, hospitals, and social welfare programs. Despite their central role in these communities, women have had little to no say in the management or distribution of these resources.

Sameera, a widow from Meerut, knows this all too well. After her husband’s death in 2019, Sameera inherited her family home, a vital asset in the absence of her spouse. But her peace was short-lived when the Waqf Board claimed a vague “historical right” over the property. Without proof or explanation, the Board issued a notice, leading Sameera into years of legal battles, selling her jewelry to afford lawyer fees while raising her two children. “They don’t see us,” Sameera shared, frustrated with the system that disregarded her rights and struggles.

The Waqf Board: A Giant with a Dark Side

The Waqf Board manages a vast portfolio of assets, including 870,000 properties and 940,000 acres of land, valued at over a lakh crore rupees. This land is intended to serve the public good by funding community infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and mosques. However, the reality is far from this ideal. A staggering 70% of these properties are lost due to encroachments, legal disputes, or mismanagement. Entire villages have been taken over by the Waqf Board without due process, leaving families like Sameera’s exposed to further harm.

Historically, Waqf management has been a male-dominated domain, and women have been excluded from critical decision-making processes. The 1995 Waqf Act did not mandate women’s inclusion in Waqf boards, and as a result, women have been consistently overlooked. This exclusion is part of a broader pattern of neglect by successive governments, where Muslim women were denied basic property rights and kept out of key political and legal reforms.

A Shift in Power: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, passed after a 12-hour debate in the Lok Sabha and a final vote in the Rajya Sabha (128-95), marks a historic turning point for Muslim women. The Act mandates the inclusion of two Muslim women on both the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf boards. This reform is designed to ensure that women’s voices are heard and that land claims undergo proper scrutiny, providing a level of protection to vulnerable families.

For Sameera and many others like her, the new law is a lifeline. Under the Act, women’s inheritance rights are protected before Waqf lands are dedicated, which will shield widows, divorcees, and other marginalized women from losing their property to mismanagement. The law also calls for a collector’s review of land claims, reducing the risk of arbitrary decisions and protecting families from unjust seizures.

Breaking the Chains of Political Exploitation

For years, political leaders across the spectrum have used Muslim women as symbols in political campaigns, highlighting their struggles without offering real solutions. The Congress party, for instance, failed to advocate for Muslim women’s property rights, while the opposition often deflected the issues surrounding polygamy, Triple Talaq, and divorce laws. Even though Congress championed secularism, it failed to secure equal property rights for Muslim women, leaving them vulnerable and voiceless.

It was under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that significant reforms such as criminalizing Triple Talaq and lifting restrictions on Muslim women traveling for Hajj without a male guardian were implemented. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, is another step in this ongoing push for social and legal justice for Muslim women.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

While the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, is a momentous step, challenges remain. The collector’s expanded authority may lead to disputes over jurisdiction and the efficient rollout of the new measures. Moreover, the political opposition, including Congress and DMK, has raised concerns about the law’s constitutionality and its potential to fuel communal tensions. However, for advocates of the law, these concerns are a smokescreen to distract from the real issue: the systemic injustice Muslim women have faced for decades.

As the law takes effect, its benefits are already becoming clear. With proper management, the vast Waqf lands could be transformed into valuable public resources, funding hospitals, schools, and other essential services that could significantly improve the lives of poor and marginalized Muslim communities. Telangana, for example, is already mapping 77,000 acres of Waqf land in collaboration with IIT-Delhi to develop these resources more effectively.

Conclusion: Reclaiming Rights and Restoring Dignity

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, offers a new hope for Muslim women who have long been denied equal rights and representation. By ensuring women’s involvement in Waqf management and protecting their inheritance rights, the Act has the potential to transform the lives of millions. For Sameera and women like her, this law is not just a political win; it is a victory for justice and equality.

As India moves forward, it is clear that this reform is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new chapter in the fight for Muslim women’s rights. With this law, they are not only reclaiming land but also reclaiming their dignity, voice, and place in society.

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