NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday explained two “main objectives” of the controversial Waqf Act as he went on to claim that the properties under Waqf were “not being used for poor Muslims”.
“India is a big country and every inch of land in this country should be used properly. There should be no dispute in this. India has the most land as Waqf property in the world. More than 9 lakh 72 thousand Waqf properties are in India but it is not being used for the poor Muslims. Its misuse, its looting by occupying the property, is a matter of concern. So when we amended the land bill, our two main objectives are to benefit the poor Muslims and to stop the looting and misuse of the property,” he said speaking to the reporters.
Earlier in the day, addressing a crowd in Mumbai, Rijiju claimed that a “large section of the Muslim community is wholeheartedly welcoming this Act”.
“The requirement for change in the Waqf Act, the necessary amendments we have made, are in fact suggested by the committees which were formed during the Congress time. If you see 1976 Wafq inquiry report, the Sachar Committee report, K Rehman Khan report, they all have talked about (carrying out) the management of the Waqf property in much more efficient, transparent, and accountable manner. That is exactly what we have done it. Waqf properties in India are the largest Waqf properties in the world…And despite having the largest Waqf properties in the world, how come these properties are not being utilised for the welfare of the Muslim community,” he said.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders including AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi have claimed that the Act was not “beneficial” for Muslims as being claimed by the central government. “I want to tell the people that Modiji is not giving medicine through the new Waqf Act but giving the message of death to us,” he alleged.
The Supreme Court last week paused key provisions of the newly enacted Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 for a week, directing the central government to maintain the status quo until the next hearing. It also assured that no new appointments would be made to the Central Waqf Council or Auqaf Boards under the amended Act during this period.
