A recent BBC report has brought renewed attention to the escalating legal disputes surrounding waqf properties—lands and assets historically donated by Indian Muslims for religious and charitable purposes. 

The report highlights the complexities and controversies arising from the Indian government's introduction of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which has sparked widespread debate and unrest across the country.

The BBC's investigation reveals that thousands of waqf properties, including mosques, graveyards, and educational institutions, are entangled in protracted legal battles involving private individuals, government departments, and waqf boards. 

In Delhi alone, over 1,000 such properties exist, with at least 123 embroiled in ownership disputes between the Delhi Waqf Board and the federal government.

The newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, aims to overhaul the management of these properties by introducing significant changes, such as including non-Muslim members in waqf boards and increasing governmental oversight. 

While proponents argue that the law seeks to enhance transparency and curb corruption, critics contend that it undermines the rights of the Muslim community and threatens the sanctity of religious endowments.

The BBC report also underscores the historical context of these disputes, tracing some back to the partition of India in 1947, which left many waqf properties in legal limbo. 

Additionally, the report highlights concerns over the removal of the "waqf by user" provision, which previously allowed properties to be designated as waqf based on long-standing community use, even without formal documentation.

The enactment of the Waqf (Amendment) Act has led to significant unrest in various parts of India. Notably, in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, protests against the law escalated into violence, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The situation prompted the deployment of central forces and the suspension of internet services to restore order.

As legal challenges to the Act emerge, including petitions filed in the Supreme Court, the future of waqf properties in India remains uncertain. The BBC's comprehensive coverage sheds light on the intricate legal, historical, and social dimensions of this pressing issue.

Source: BBC News

BDST: 1245 HRS, April 17, 2025
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