Waqf Invoice turns into legislation after getting president’s nod amid criticism by opposition

The Waqf Invoice — handed after intense and prolonged debates in each Homes of the Indian Parliament — has now formally develop into legislation after receiving President Droupadi Murmu’s assent.

This implies the invoice has cleared all legislative hurdles and is able to be carried out.

The legislation will come into drive on the date when the central authorities points its notification within the official gazette.

“The next Act of Parliament acquired the assent of the President on April 5, 2025, and is hereby printed for basic info: The Waqf (Modification) Act, 2025,” the federal government stated in a notification.

The federal government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi says this legislation is aimed toward stopping favouritism on the Waqf board and misuse of its properties. The ruling alliance, Nationwide Democratic Alliance, insists it’s not towards any faith.

In the meantime, opposition events and Muslim leaders in India have labelled the laws anti-Muslim.

The modification to the Waqf Invoice got here after six months of discussions, together with enter from a joint parliamentary committee.

Within the Rajya Sabha, the higher home, the invoice was handed with 128 votes in favour and 95 towards.

Earlier, within the Lok Sabha, the invoice bought the inexperienced gentle with 288 members supporting it and 232 opposing.

Regulation challenged in Supreme Court docket

Opposition events, together with Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and the Aam Aadmi Get together (AAP), have approached the Supreme Court docket of India to get the legislation nullified, arguing it goes towards the precept of India’s secular Structure.

Congress MP Mohammad Jawed, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan filed the petitions within the Supreme Court docket, alleging that the invoice was a “blatant violation of the basic rights of Muslims”.

The brand new legislation brings important adjustments to the construction and authority of the Waqf Council. It mandates that the council should now embrace as much as 4 non-Muslim members, with at the very least two of them being ladies. The federal government says the transfer is aimed toward rising range and illustration throughout the council.

Moreover, the legislation offers extra energy to senior authorities officers by permitting officers above the rank of district collectors to have the ultimate say in figuring out whether or not a property belongs to the Waqf or the federal government. This shift is predicted to streamline decision-making and cut back local-level disputes over land possession.

(With inputs from companies)