Government introduces bill to repeal Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923

New Delhi [India], August 8 (ANI): Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday introduced in Lok Sabha a bill to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923.

Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, was introduced by the minister on a day he also introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to amend Waqf Act, 1995, and will be examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 is a colonial-era legislation that has become outdated and inadequate for effective management of waqf property in modern India.

It said the Act is being repealed to ensure uniformity, transparency, and accountability in the administration and management of waqf properties through the Waqf Act, 1995.

The government has also decided to withdraw the Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants), Bill, 2014 which was introduced in Rajya Sabha in February 2014, when the Congress-led UPA government was in power.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to clearly define “waqf” as waqf by any person practising Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property and ensure that creation of Waqf-alal-aulad does not lead to the denial of inheritance rights to women.

It also seeks to omit the provisions relating to the “waqf by user”, provide the functions of the Survey Commissioner to the Collector or any other officer not below the rank of Deputy Collector duly nominated by the Collector for the survey of waqf properties, provide for a broad-based composition of the Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Boards and ensure representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims.