A Comprehensive Analysis of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025: Transforming Islamic Endowment Management in India
A Comprehensive Analysis of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025: Transforming Islamic Endowment Management in India Author: AbhishekJat, Advocate On April 3, 2025, the Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, signaling one of the most significant overhauls of Islamic endowment management in India since the original Waqf Act of 1995. This legislation introduces far-reaching changes that touch nearly every aspect of waqf administration—from registration and governance to financial oversight and dispute resolution. Let's examine these changes in detail and consider their implications. Fundamental Rebranding and Conceptual Shift The amendment begins with a symbolic but meaningful change, renaming the law from the "Waqf Act" to the "Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act." This shift reflects a conceptual reorientation toward modernization, unification of diverse practices, and a focus on developmental outcomes rather than...