Latest news with #CentralWaqfCouncil
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Central portal for waqf properties to be launched today
NEW DELHI: Ahead of the launch of 'UMEED' Central Portal that will start the process of building a fresh database of all waqf properties, minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has stressed that the portal in no way violates the law or the Constitution. The minister was reacting to questions regarding All India Muslim Personal Law Board 's statement that it will challenge the legal validity of the portal in Supreme Court where Waqf Amendment Act 2025 is under scrutiny owing to petitions filed against its provisions. Speaking on the sidelines of a programme to mark World Environment Day at the Central Waqf Council in Saket on Thursday, Rijiju pointed out that there was no stay on the law, with the portal being the first crucial step for improving waqf management in India. 'The country runs on the basis of the law and the Constitution, not on the basis of what they (AIMPLB) say. Those opposing the law are doing so due to political reasons or because they are unaware of its purpose. They will eventually regret their stance and come round when they see positive outcomes,' he said. 'After the launch of the portal all waqf properties across the country will be registered on this centralised platform. I am going to appeal to state govts and state waqf boards to register and upload details of properties as a first step towards proper management. We want that the over 9 lakh waqf properties are managed and used properly. Accountability, efficiency and transparency are the core principles defining the process,' he added. Significantly, only waqf properties, including those in the 'waqf by user' category, existing prior to Waqf Amendment Act 2025's coming into force on April 8 that are registered with state waqf boards as per norms laid out in the 1995 Act will be able to upload their information on the Central Portal. The officials at the ministry of minority affairs said asserting that this will help weed out the possibility of bogus entries into the database. For existing waqf properties, the status has to be uploaded within six months of the portal's launch. For new properties seeking waqf status, the process laid out under the new law will apply. For uploading details on the portal, the mutawalli (caretaker) will serve as the 'maker', entering property details, including registration document details. A Waqf Board official will function as the 'checker', reviewing and validating entries. Finally, a designated 'govt authority' will act as the 'approver', ensuring full verification before records are finalised.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Rijiju vows to make Central Waqf Council stronger, highlights new reforms
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the government aims at making the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community and highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 for strengthening the legal and administrative framework to manage Waqf properties. Rijiju made the remarks at en event organised to mark World Environment Day with a special tree plantation drive under the theme, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", at the Central Waqf Bhawan here. "We aim to make the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community," he said. The minister underlined the government's continued efforts to empower minority institutions like the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and ensure transparent governance. Referring to recent legislative progress, he highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which strengthens the legal and administrative framework for managing Waqf properties. The CWC, a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, was set up in 1964 in accordance with the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1954 as an advisory body to the Centre on matters concerning the working of Waqf boards and the due administration of Waqf properties. During the interaction, Rijiju announced the upcoming launch of the "UMEED" central portal, scheduled to go live on Friday (June 6). The portal will facilitate the digitisation and registration of Waqf properties, enhancing transparency, governance and utilisation. "State governments and Waqf boards must actively upload and manage data to ensure that more than nine lakh Waqf properties are utilised meaningfully, especially for the welfare of women and children," the minister said. The event was led by Rijiju and he was joined by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian and Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, along with senior officials of the ministry and the CWC. The initiative was aimed at encouraging citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, blending emotional tribute with environmental responsibility. In his address to the media, Rijiju emphasised India's global leadership in ecological conservation. He said India is making significant contributions to increase the green cover through plantation drives etc. "We are not just committed to preserving the environment, we are actively reclaiming and restoring the ecological balance," he said. The plantation drive saw active participation from all levels of the ministry. Officials and staff members planted saplings in the name of their mothers, reinforcing the emotional and symbolic depth of the initiative. The drive was not just a ceremonial gesture but a meaningful action towards promoting sustainable practices and deepening the community's bond with nature, an official statement said. The ministry's observance of World Environment Day through "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" highlighted its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, inclusivity and responsive governance, it added. Rijiju also took a moment to express condolences for the victims of a recent stampede in Bengaluru. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
We aim to make Central Waqf Council more robust, responsive, says Kiren Rijiju
Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the government aims at making the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community and highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 for strengthening the legal and administrative framework to manage Waqf properties. Rijiju made the remarks at en event organised to mark World Environment Day with a special tree plantation drive under the theme, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", at the Central Waqf Bhawan here. "We aim to make the Central Waqf Council more robust and responsive in its service to the community," he said. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Device Made My Power Bill Drop Overnight elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Pre-Order Undo The minister underlined the government's continued efforts to empower minority institutions like the Central Waqf Council (CWC) and ensure transparent governance. Referring to recent legislative progress, he highlighted the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which strengthens the legal and administrative framework for managing Waqf properties. Live Events The CWC, a statutory body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, was set up in 1964 in accordance with the provisions of the Waqf Act, 1954 as an advisory body to the Centre on matters concerning the working of Waqf boards and the due administration of Waqf properties. During the interaction, Rijiju announced the upcoming launch of the "UMEED" central portal, scheduled to go live on Friday (June 6). The portal will facilitate the digitisation and registration of Waqf properties, enhancing transparency, governance and utilisation. "State governments and Waqf boards must actively upload and manage data to ensure that more than nine lakh Waqf properties are utilised meaningfully, especially for the welfare of women and children," the minister said. The event was led by Rijiju and he was joined by Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian and Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, along with senior officials of the ministry and the CWC. The initiative was aimed at encouraging citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mothers, blending emotional tribute with environmental responsibility . In his address to the media, Rijiju emphasised India's global leadership in ecological conservation. He said India is making significant contributions to increase the green cover through plantation drives etc. "We are not just committed to preserving the environment, we are actively reclaiming and restoring the ecological balance," he said. The plantation drive saw active participation from all levels of the ministry. Officials and staff members planted saplings in the name of their mothers, reinforcing the emotional and symbolic depth of the initiative. The drive was not just a ceremonial gesture but a meaningful action towards promoting sustainable practices and deepening the community's bond with nature, an official statement said. The ministry's observance of World Environment Day through "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" highlighted its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, inclusivity and responsive governance, it added. Rijiju also took a moment to express condolences for the victims of a recent stampede in Bengaluru.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Waqf Act amendments: Progress for the community or just optics?
Vivek Narayan Sharma is an Advocate (AOR) at Supreme Court of India with 25 years of core experience in litigation, arbitration, mediation. Known for resolving high-stakes disputes in a quick-time frame & representing industries, business leaders, celebrities, politicos; he also serves as pro bono Lawyer to enhance societal hues & spectrum. LESS ... MORE The recent Union Cabinet decision to amend the Waqf Act, 1995 and repeal the outdated Waqf Act, 1923 has generated both interest and some manufactured outrage. While a few fringe voices attempt to build a narrative of fear and disenfranchisement, a closer look reveals a clear and much-needed reform: one that strengthens the management, transparency, and future security of waqf properties for the benefit of India's Muslim community. The recent reforms also mark a progressive step toward gender justice within the Waqf ecosystem. Firstly, the clarification that Waqf-alal-aulad (waqf created for the benefit of one's own family) cannot be used as a tool to deny inheritance rights to female heirs is a significant legal and moral correction. This addresses a long-standing abuse of the waqf structure, where patriarchal interpretations were often used to sideline women from their rightful share. Secondly, the mandatory inclusion of at least two Muslim women members in both the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards is a critical institutional reform. It ensures not just representation but also voices from within the community that can advocate for education, health, housing, and livelihood rights of Muslim women. These measures together signal a shift from tokenism to tangible empowerment—ensuring that waqf institutions serve all, not just a privileged few. What is Waqf 'Waqf' refers to a permanent dedication of movable or immovable property by a Muslim for religious, pious, or charitable purposes as recognized by Islamic law. Over time, waqf properties have come to constitute one of the largest repositories of Muslim community assets in India. However, with size comes complexity and the governance structures originally designed to administer these assets have struggled with opacity, inefficiency, and sometimes, exploitation. As on today, lakhs of waqf properties are registered across India, including mosques, graveyards, dargahs, educational institutions, and revenue-generating real estate. The estimated value of these properties is in lakhs of crores, yet their actual contribution to the welfare of the Muslim community remains underwhelming due to widespread mismanagement. Why reforms were long overdue The Waqf Act, 1995 was a consolidated legal framework aimed at ensuring uniformity in the administration of waqf properties by establishing State Waqf Boards and the Central Waqf Council. However, in practice, the implementation has been riddled with inefficiencies. Some of the core issues include: Encroachment and illegal occupation of waqf properties due to lack of documentation and vigilance. Inadequate digitization of waqf property records, making them vulnerable to manipulation and misuse. Opaque appointment procedures for Waqf Board members, often dominated by political or familial interests rather than merit. Lack of accountability and audit , leading to financial leakages and corruption. Disputes over waqf status of properties leading to prolonged litigation and social unrest. Addressing the false narrative Certain interest groups and individuals, either out of ignorance or intent, have attempted to stir communal sentiment by suggesting that the amendments would hurt Muslim interests. This is not only legally unfounded but socially dangerous. On the contrary, the proposed amendments are designed to enhance the credibility and utility of waqf institutions, protect waqf properties from exploitation, and allow the Muslim community to benefit from its rightful assets through better educational, economic, and social programs. To illustrate this, one may ask: What is more empowering to the community – a system that hides in the shadows of outdated laws and corrupt practices, or one that embraces modern governance, transparency, and efficiency? The answer is self-evident. Key Features and Merits of the Proposed Amendments Repeal of Waqf Act, 1923 : This archaic pre-Independence law is no longer relevant. Its existence only created confusion in interpretation and duplication with the 1995 Act. Repealing it clears the legislative cobwebs and affirms the primacy of the modern law. Digital Record-Keeping and GIS Mapping : The proposed law aims to mandate end-to-end digitization of waqf properties. This will prevent illegal sales, encroachments, and fraud. A digital registry will also empower the community with access to transparent information. Improved Composition and Functioning of Waqf Boards : Changes are expected in the way members are appointed and decisions are made. Merit and professionalism will be prioritized over influence and legacy networks. This will create a more accountable system. Stronger Mechanisms for Dispute Resolution : The reforms may introduce faster, community-friendly alternatives to long-drawn court battles, ensuring timely justice and fewer inter-generational disputes over property titles. Strengthening of the Central Waqf Council (CWC) : By providing the CWC with enhanced oversight and audit powers, the Centre aims to create a checks-and-balances system that reduces misuse and ensures inter-state coordination. Harnessing Waqf Assets for Developmental Goals : Reforms could unlock the economic potential of these properties by allowing them to be used, leased, or redeveloped for community-beneficial projects—like schools, hospitals, and skill centers—within the bounds of Islamic law. The bigger picture: Reform is respect These steps are not about erasing identity, they are about protecting and honoring the true spirit of waqf: charity, education, and social upliftment. In doing so, the government is recognizing that communities must be empowered through reform, not manipulated through status quo. Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita says, 'Change is the law of the universe. One who resists change is resisting life itself.' This sentiment, echoed in all great religious philosophies, holds especially true for institutions like waqf, which cannot afford to remain frozen in time. To claim that modernization equals marginalization is a dangerous inversion of logic. It is akin to saying a leaking roof must not be repaired because the house is old. What good is heritage if it cannot serve the present and secure the future? A call to the community: Rise above fear, embrace reform The real danger to Muslim waqf institutions is not the government, but those who trade fear for influence. These reform-blockers often have vested interests in the opacity of the system. They are not protecting the community, they are protecting their control over its assets. True leadership lies in empowering the community with clean, audited, and high-functioning institutions. That is precisely what this amendment seeks to do. The future is faith with accountability India is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the world. Its strength lies in the coexistence of faith and law, tradition and innovation. Reforms to the Waqf Act are not an attack, they are an opportunity. An opportunity to protect legacy, ensure justice, and unlock the potential of community wealth for generations to come. Let us not allow motivated voices to derail a reform that holds the promise of dignity, transparency, and progress for the Indian Muslim community. Let facts, not fear, lead the way. The recent legislative changes offer a promising framework. It is time to rise above politically motivated noise, embrace reform, and ensure that the legacy of waqf becomes one of hope, progress, and dignity – not just for Muslims, but for the Indian nation as a whole. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Hans India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
SC reserves interim orders on 3 issues in Waqf Act
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its interim orders on three issues, including the power to denotify properties declared as waqf by courts, waqf-by-user or waqf by deed after hearing a clutch of pleas challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. Before reserving the interim orders, a bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih heard senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Rajeev Dhavan and Abhishek Singhvi on behalf of those opposed to the amended waqf law and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, for about three consecutive days. The Centre strongly defended the Act, saying waqf by its very nature is a secular concept and can't be stayed given the presumption of constitutionality in its favour. Sibal, leading the petitioners, described the law as a 'complete departure from historical legal and constitutional principles' and a means to 'capture waqf through a non-judicial process'. 'This is a case about the systematic capture of waqf properties. The government cannot dictate what issues can be raised,' Sibal said. The petitioners at the present stage sought interim orders on three key issues. One of the issues related to the power to denotify properties declared as waqf by courts, waqf-by-user or waqf by deed. The second issue was over the composition of state waqf boards and the Central Waqf Council, where they contend only Muslims should operate except ex-officio members whereas the last one is over the provision stipulating a waqf property won't be treated as a waqf when the collector conducts an inquiry to ascertain if the property is government land. On April 25, the Union ministry of minority affairs filed a preliminary 1,332-page affidavit defending the amended Waqf Act of 2025 and opposed any 'blanket stay' by the court on a 'law having presumption of constitutionality passed by Parliament'.
