Owaisi strongly opposed the bill in the Lok Sabha, stating it violates Articles 14, 25, and 26 of the Constitution. He emphasized that Waqf properties are integral to Muslim religious practices and cannot be taken away. "As a proud Indian Muslim, I will not lose an inch of my Masjid or Dargah," he declared, warning the government against pushing the bill forward.

Opposition MPs Kalyan Banerjee and Md. Nadimul Haque also protested, alleging that key portions of their dissent notes submitted to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) were arbitrarily removed. In a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, they accused the ruling party of bias in the committee’s conclusions.

Government’s Stand

Union Minister Giriraj Singh dismissed Owaisi’s claims, stressing that the bill aligns with constitutional principles and will regulate Waqf properties within the legal framework. "No one is above the law, be it Hindu or Muslim. India’s Constitution belongs to everyone," he asserted.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, introduced in August 2024, seeks to reform the management of Waqf properties by renaming the Waqf Act, 1995, as the United Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 (UWMEEDA 1995).

Some major changes include:

• Restrictions on Waqf Declaration: Only individuals practicing Islam for at least five years can declare a Waqf, provided they own the property.

• Removal of Waqf by User: The concept of recognizing Waqf through long-term use has been omitted.

• Survey Oversight Shift: The Survey Commissioner’s functions will be transferred to the District Collector.

• Diverse Representation: The bill mandates representation of Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Agakhani, and Muslim women on Waqf Boards.

• Special Boards for Boharas and Aghakhanis: Separate boards will be established for these communities.

• Centralized Registration: A unified database will streamline Waqf property registration and tracking.

The opposition views the bill as an infringement on religious rights, while the government argues it will modernize Waqf property management. With mounting tensions in Parliament, the bill’s fate remains uncertain amid strong resistance from the Muslim community and opposition parties.