The **Waqf Amendment Bill 2024** introduces several reforms aimed at improving the management and transparency of Waqf properties in India, but it has also sparked significant debate and opposition. Waqf properties are assets that are designated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law, and they cannot be revoked once declared as such.

The **Waqf Amendment Bill 2024** introduces several reforms aimed at improving the management and transparency of Waqf properties in India, but it has also sparked significant debate and opposition. Waqf properties are assets that are designated for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law, and they cannot be revoked once declared as such.

### Key Features of the Bill:

1. **Renaming and Centralization**: The bill proposes renaming the Waqf Act of 1995 as the *Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act*. It seeks to streamline the management of Waqf properties by creating a central portal for registration, allowing for better transparency and centralized control.

2. **District Collector's Authority**: One of the more controversial provisions is that the District Collector will now have the power to decide whether a disputed property is government land or Waqf property. This responsibility used to belong to the Waqf Tribunals under the 1995 Act, which many believe provided a more specialized mechanism for handling such disputes. Some Muslim organizations have expressed concerns about potential biases and misuse of power under this provision.

3. **Representation on Waqf Boards**: The bill proposes that Waqf boards include not just Muslim members but also two non-Muslim members and at least two Muslim women. Additionally, representation from different Islamic sects (e.g., Sunnis, Shias, Bohras, and Aghakhanis) is mandated. This diversification has been met with resistance from groups who feel that non-Muslim involvement in Waqf boards could undermine the religious autonomy of these institutions.

4. **Audits and Regulation**: The bill gives the central government the authority to audit Waqf properties through the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), further strengthening regulatory oversight. This is intended to ensure that Waqf properties are not misused and that they fulfill their intended religious or charitable purposes.

### Opposition and Concerns:

Critics of the bill argue that the changes could lead to greater government interference in Waqf matters, particularly in the decision-making process regarding property ownership. The inclusion of non-Muslim members on Waqf boards has been particularly contentious, with some seeing it as a violation of religious autonomy. Furthermore, the transfer of decision-making power from specialized Waqf Tribunals to District Collectors is viewed by many as a step that could lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies and biases in the handling of property disputes.

### Next Steps:

The bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion and review, ensuring that stakeholders, including minority groups, have the opportunity to voice their concerns before any final decisions are made.