Revised Waqf Bill may affect over 73,000 disputed properties across India
New Delhi: The amended Waqf Bill, passed in both Houses of Parliament and now awaiting the President’s assent, is expected to impact more than 73,000 disputed Waqf properties across the country. These properties are listed in the Waqf Assets Management System of India (WAMSI), a Central government database that categorises them as encroached, alienated, or under litigation.
India has approximately 8.8 lakh Waqf properties spread across 30 states and Union Territories, many of which face legal and administrative challenges. Waqf properties are charitable or religious endowments made by Muslims and held in the name of God, although they are often used to benefit individuals or institutions.
Uttar Pradesh accounts for the highest number of such properties at around 2.4 lakh, followed by West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the only states with separate Sunni and Shia Waqf boards.
The revised Bill introduces a tribunal system to handle Waqf disputes, including those involving alleged illegal transfers or encroachments. The tribunal will include a District Judge and a senior state official. Many encroachments involve claims by government agencies.
In addition to dispute resolution, the Bill alters the management structure of Waqf properties by changing the composition of state Waqf boards and redefining the role of state governments. Though initially referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament after opposition protests, the final draft includes only the 14 amendments proposed by NDA members. All 44 suggestions from the Opposition were rejected.
More than two-thirds of Waqf properties include graveyards, agricultural land, mosques, shops, or residential buildings. Graveyards alone make up 17.3% of the total. The history of Waqf-related disputes includes landmark cases like the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, which remained under litigation until the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict.
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Stalin claims DMK secured 1.54 crore votes
Chennai (PTI): DMK president M K Stalin on Tuesday, in a veiled reference to the TVK, claimed that the party that won additional constituencies has gained only 17.43 lakh more votes than the DMK.
He was referring to the April 23 Assembly polls where the DMK and its allies secured 74 seats, with the Dravidian party netting 59 constituencies.
In a statement, Stalin said, "the percentage difference in votes between us and them is just 3.52 per cent," in an apparent reference to the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kahzagam emerged victorious in the polls, the results of which were announced on Monday.
Claiming that the DMK alliance has secured 1.54 crore votes, Stalin said, "I consider each and every one of your votes as an invaluable token of trust".
Stating that DMK has been in power several times, he said "there is no victory we have not seen and there is no defeat we have not faced".
"Whether in victory or defeat, those who regard them equally and continue their journey toward their ideals are the comrades of the party", he said adding "you are the lifeblood and roots of the movement".
"The harvest of 1.54 crore votes is the fruit of your commitment", he said.
"What return can I offer for your hard work? With the feeling of being the chief worker, we will continue our journey," the DMK chief added.
Stalin said "if we are the ruling party, we will formulate schemes for the people. If we are the opposition party, we will fight for the people's demands. In that regard, now as a strong opposition party, we will continue to work for the people".
Asserting that the DMK will continue the journey of taking forward the policies of the century-old great Dravidian movement, protecting race, language, and nation, the DMK leader said "in our journey, I will not leave anyone behind. We will win again".
