Modi Govt to Table Waqf Bill in Budget Session After Review
The Centre prepares to reintroduce the Waqf Amendment Bill, clearing JPC hurdles. The bill may be tabled in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session.
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The central government is preparing to reintroduce the Law Amendment Bill in Parliament, aiming to clarify the legal status of Waqf properties owned by Muslims across the country. After addressing objections raised during its initial introduction in the Lok Sabha, the Centre has accepted the recommendations made by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), clearing the way for the bill’s return to the House.
The proposed legislation, which seeks to amend the Waqf Act, has been a key focus for the Modi administration, given the significance of Waqf properties, which rank among the largest assets in India. The government initially introduced amendments on August 8, 2024, but faced immediate resistance. Opposition parties, including some from within the ruling NDA alliance, strongly opposed the changes, prompting the Centre to refer the matter to the JPC.
A multi-party committee, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, was subsequently established to review concerns regarding the bill. After gathering inputs from stakeholders and analyzing the existing provisions of the Waqf Act, the committee submitted its findings to the Centre on February 13, 2025. Following this, the Union Cabinet reviewed and approved the 14 recommendations made by the JPC, removing a major hurdle to the bill’s reintroduction.
The government is now expected to table the revised bill in the Lok Sabha during the second half of the Budget Session, beginning March 10. The proposed amendments include 44 modifications to the existing Waqf Act, focusing on governance, administration, and regulation of Waqf Boards at both the central and state levels.
With the Cabinet’s approval of the JPC’s recommendations, the bill is set to move forward in Parliament. If passed, the amendments will redefine the framework governing Waqf properties and their management, with potential implications for their oversight and utilization.
As the government prepares for the next phase of legislative discussions, the political landscape remains tense, with opposition parties expected to challenge the proposed changes. The passage of the bill will depend on parliamentary debates and negotiations in the coming weeks.
