- Bill adds non-Muslims to waqf boards overseeing $14B+ in Islamic properties
- Opposition claims 405,000+ hectares of historic land at risk
- Mandates government validation of century-old undocumented endowments
- Follows pattern of Hindu temple disputes at Muslim religious sites
India's Lower House witnessed fiery debates as lawmakers clashed over proposed amendments to the 1995 Waqf Act. The legislation seeks to reshape management of Islamic charitable trusts controlling properties exceeding 400,000 hectares nationwide. Supporters argue the reforms combat systemic corruption, citing recent audits revealing nearly 22% of waqf land records contain discrepancies.
Legal experts highlight parallels with the 2020 Ayodhya temple dispute, where historical documentation gaps influenced Supreme Court rulings. The bill's requirement for district-level approvals creates new bureaucratic hurdles - a concerning precedent for minority institutions already facing 147% more property challenges since 2019, per All India Muslim Personal Law Board data.
Regional tensions surface in Kashmir where 18th-century Shah Hamdan shrines face ownership reviews. Local waqf board chairman Mohammad Abbas warns: This isn't reform - it's cultural erasure through paperwork.Meanwhile, BJP representatives cite Karnataka's cross-religious temple management model as proof of concept, despite opposition claims it led to 39% reduction in minority-administered properties.
Financial analysts note waqf assets could potentially unlock $6.7B in urban redevelopment projects. However, Muslim business leaders counter that only 12% of endowment income currently funds community welfare programs, suggesting alternative reform approaches. The proposed changes arrive amid heightened religious tensions, with hate speech incidents against minorities rising 62% since 2022 according to Amnesty International.
