Latest news with #WaqfAmendmentAct2025
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt asks states to adhere to timelines after launch of Waqf portal
NEW DELHI: Only properties registered as waqf with the state boards will be able to upload their details for verification and get a 17-number unique ID on the new Central Waqf Portal launched by govt on Friday. This also applies to 'waqf by user' properties that existed prior to the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 coming into force on April 8. Sharing that there were over 9 lakh waqf properties in India, minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that states should follow the timelines strictly and the boards must ensure that details of all waqf properties registered with them are uploaded on the portal within the stipulated 6 months. 'All old properties that are in keeping with the law — titled and legitimate — will get included. Those that are illegal and without any documents will not get included. New waqf properties that get created going forward will be included in the database,' Rijiju said. According to officials, waqf properties that are not registered will need to approach their waqf boards to complete the process of registration. In the case of properties whose details are uploaded but which fail to get validated on the portal, there will be the option to approach the waqf tribunal for redressal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 새로 나온 '실비보험' 최적가 가입추천! "개인별 맞춤설계+할인혜택"… 굿리치 보험대리점 (등록번호:제2006038313호) 가격 받기 Undo On what happens to properties which have supposedly been used as waqf but lack documents to prove so, Rijiju said: 'Such waqf properties that do not have adequate documents but which are recognised socially and by govt and are working, we are not declaring them illegal. The issues are only with those kinds of properties which have been acquired forcefully, fraudulently, or do not have proper supportive documents or provisions. Moreover, the law does not prevent anyone from performing any religious rituals....' He, however, emphasised that going forward all waqf properties will need to fix whatever is missing in their documentation in order to come on board. On the portal, the entry of property details by the Mutawalli (caretaker) will be followed by validation by waqf boards and approval by designated govt authorities, after verification of records, to enable its entry into the 'UMEED' (Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act 1995) portal. For the wide-ranging details related to any property, the portal also requires the Muttawali to give a declaration before uploading them. This includes questions like 'have you failed to maintain regular accounts for two consecutive years or submit for two consecutive years the yearly statement of accounts as per law; have you been convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment of less than two years; and are you part of any unlawful organisation under UAPA'. Key features of the portal include creation of a digital inventory with geo-tagging of all waqf properties, online grievance redressal system, transparent leasing and usage tracking, integration with GIS mapping and public access to verified records and reports. Pointing out that there was no stay on the law by the judiciary, Rijiju stressed that the portal in no way violates the law or the Constitution. The minister was responding to All India Muslim Personal Law Board's statement that it will challenge the legal validity of the portal in the Supreme Court where the law is under scrutiny.
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.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Supreme Court reserves judgment on interim stay of Waqf Act
The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved orders on the aspect of staying the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, observing that the requirement of keeping an inventory of Waqf properties, including Waqf by user, has been the norm for over 100 years since the first enactment on such properties was introduced in 1923. Closing arguments after a marathon hearing of three days, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai and justice AG Masih observed, 'We have seen the law since the Mussalman Waqf Act of 1923. Technically, the 1923 law did not have a provision for registration but information about the waqf had to be provided. From the Waqf Act, 1954 registration was required. There was a report of 1976 which revealed why registration was necessary. From 1923 till 2025, for over 100 years, the scheme of various enactments had emphasised on registration.' The court was responding to arguments made by senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for one of the petitioners challenging the 2025 Act who argued that it was wrong to put the onus of registration on the custodian of waqf properties as beginning 1954, the law required states to survey and identify waqf properties. Registration was a crucial aspect stressed by Centre as only those waqf by user properties which are registered and not disputed to be on government land, would receive protection under the 2025 Act. Sibal said, 'It is the failure of the state to carry out their job from 1954 to 2025 and due to their failure, a community is being punished,' pointing out that the state cannot take advantage of its own wrong and by legislative fiat, extinguish Muslim property. He urged the court to consider it from the aspect of a community's right to administer property under Article 26 of the Constitution as he highlighted other aspects of the 2025 law, such as dedication of waqf by a person who is a practicing Muslim for past five years, something that was not a requirement for any other religion. The Centre represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, in his concluding arguments, told the court that the law since 1923 always required only Muslims to dedicate their property to Allah as waqf. The 2013 amendment permitted 'any person' to dedicate Waqf. 'How can Waqf which is an Islamic concept be available for non-Islamic persons,' Mehta said. On Wednesday, the Centre had submitted that waqf being an act of charity is not an essential or core feature of Islam as doing charity is part of every religion. Senior advocate Rajiv Dhavan appearing for another petitioner opposing the law told the court that charity is one among the five fundamental pillars of Islam and zakat (charity) in Islam is a dedication made to Allah for favour in after life. He further illustrated how the Act discriminates Muslims by referring to the provision that prohibits creation of waqf on land belonging to scheduled tribes under section 3E. Mehta told the court that the purpose behind enacting section 3E was to protect the scheduled tribes who are a vulnerable section of the population. He pointed out from the report of the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) that sought to preserve the cultural identities of tribals without and preventing creating of waqf on their land under Islam. The bench disagreed with Mehta pointing out, 'What is the nexus of not allowing waqf on tribal land. The purpose of the law is that land should not be grabbed based on their social and economic backwardness. Islam is Islam. Cultural traditions may differ, but religion is the same. If a waqf is sought to be created by fraud or deception, that will otherwise also go.' Mehta said that the classification is not based on religion as it is always open for Muslims to create a trust and carry out charity activities. The petitions, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, challenge the law on multiple grounds, alleging that it undermines the fundamental rights of Muslims and erodes age-old waqf traditions. The Centre has defended the amendments as necessary to curb corruption, enhance transparency and ensure better regulatory oversight.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
JPC Chairman Pal defends Waqf Act amid SC hearing
New Delhi: Waqf Amendment Act 2025, Supreme Court Petitions, Jagdambika Pal, Judicial Review, Mamata Banerjee, Murshidabad Violence Speaking to IANS, Pal said, 'The Supreme Court is currently considering the law that was passed regarding the Waqf Amendment Act after extensive discussions in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, lasting 13 hours, followed by approval from the President. Now, despite this, the matter has been taken to the Supreme Court, with 75 petitions challenging it. This indicates the ongoing debate, with several members from different parties raising questions.' He emphasised that while judicial review is a constitutional right, attempts to question the legitimacy of a law passed after such in-depth deliberation, are politically motivated. Pal's comments come at a time when the Centre is preparing its formal response to the court, as instructed by the Bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna. Switching focus to West Bengal, Pal also criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her visit to Murshidabad, an area recently affected by violent protests against the Waqf Act. 'It was already too late when the violence was happening, she remained silent. She didn't meet with the clerics in Kolkata. While the violence was unfolding, the police stood by as mute spectators, as fathers and sons were being killed,' he alleged. He further accused CM Banerjee of abandoning affected citizens during the crisis. 'A large number of Hindus crossed the river from Murshidabad to Malda for safety. She didn't go to bring them back. And now, after the rioters have completed their rampage and unleashed destruction she decided to go,' Pal said, questioning the timing of her visit.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Waqf Act historic step for Muslims, will prevent graft'
Chandigarh: The Chandigarh unit of BJP Monday held a briefing over the Waqf Amendment Bill Act, 2025. On this occasion, Mufti Shamoon Qasmi , chairman of the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board, strongly supported the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. He termed the Act as a historic step for the Muslim community and strongly criticised the opposition to it by the Congress and some Muslim organisations. Mufti Qasmi said, "The Waqf Amendment Act 2025 will ensure transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties, so that these properties can be used for the welfare of the Muslim community. This Act will not only prevent corruption in the Waqf Board but will also ensure that Waqf properties are effectively used for the educational, social, and economic development of the Muslim community." Accusing the Congress of misusing waqf properties, Mufti Qasmi said, "For decades, the Congress Party considered Muslims as their vote bank and used Waqf properties for their political interests. They were misleading the Muslim community in the name of appeasement politics. This Act will put an end to that appeasement politics and lead the Muslim community towards real development." He also challenged the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board and other Muslim organisations, saying, "Those who are opposing the Waqf Amendment Act today are not actually protecting the interests of the Muslim community but are furthering the agenda of the Congress. These organisations are misleading people and helping the Congress in making Muslims a vote bank. I want to ask these organisations what they did for the Muslim community in the last 70 years?"
