Waqf Act Amendments Aim to Correct Historical Wrongs, Not Target Muslims: Kiren Rijiju

Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday clarified that the recent amendments to the Waqf Act are not intended to target the Muslim community but are meant to rectify what he described as “mistakes of the past.” Addressing the media in Kochi, Rijiju emphasized that the changes were brought about to ensure justice and transparency in land ownership and to prevent the misuse of the Waqf Act’s earlier provisions.

“The amendments are not directed against any community. They are to address past errors and to ensure no individual or institution can forcefully and unilaterally take over another person’s land in the name of religion,” Rijiju stated.

Concerns Over Waqf Board Powers

Rijiju elaborated that the previous version of the Waqf Act had granted “unprecedented power and authority” to Waqf Boards, which, in some cases, led to arbitrary declarations of land as Waqf property. This, he said, has caused longstanding disputes, created confusion around property ownership, and even led to the dispossession of legitimate landowners.

“After the amendment, there will be no arbitrary declaration of land as Waqf property,” Rijiju asserted. “It will prevent any misuse of the law that had allowed land to be taken over without proper verification or consent.”

The Union Minister was accompanied by Union Minister of State George Kurien and BJP’s Kerala state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar during the media briefing. The central message conveyed was that the government’s goal is to establish fairness and protect private property rights while ensuring that religious institutions are not misused for political or personal gain.

Background of the Amendment

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was passed by Parliament and received presidential assent on April 5, 2025. The bill modifies key aspects of the original Waqf Act, including the powers of state Waqf Boards and the process of declaring land as Waqf property.

While the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has portrayed the legislation as a reform in favor of transparency and accountability, opposition parties and various Muslim groups have condemned it, alleging that it targets the Muslim community and undermines religious rights.

In several regions, particularly in West Bengal, the backlash has led to street protests, some of which have turned violent. Community leaders argue that the amendment will weaken institutions that manage religious and charitable Muslim properties, thereby affecting schools, orphanages, and other social welfare initiatives funded through Waqf income.

Political Reactions and Protests

Several Muslim organizations have openly criticized the amendments, viewing them as part of a broader trend of what they perceive as marginalization under the current government. Protests have erupted in parts of West Bengal, Kerala, and Telangana, with demonstrators demanding a rollback of the changes and accusing the government of communal bias.

In West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, which has a significant Muslim population, demonstrations against the Waqf law changes turned violent last week, prompting the deployment of security forces and sharp political rhetoric from both the ruling TMC and opposition BJP leaders.

Despite the criticism, Rijiju stood firm on the government’s position, stating that no community should fear the amendment. “If a law is used to grab land or violate someone’s right, it is our responsibility to correct that. That’s what we’ve done here,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi’s Comments on Waqf Land Misuse

The controversy over the Waqf law has been further amplified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on the misuse of Waqf land. While addressing a public rally in Hisar, Haryana on April 14, Modi said Waqf properties had not been used to uplift the Muslim community as intended.

“There are lakhs of hectares of Waqf land across the country. That land should have been used for the welfare of the poor, for helpless women and children. Instead, it has been misused,” Modi said.

He added, “Had that land been used honestly, young Muslim boys wouldn’t have had to spend their lives fixing punctures. They could have had better opportunities.”

Modi’s statement stirred further political debate, with critics accusing him of stereotyping and using economic disparities within the Muslim community for political mileage. Supporters, however, argued that the Prime Minister was calling attention to the systemic mismanagement of religious assets that could otherwise benefit marginalized sections.

A Broader Push for Reform or Political Messaging?

The debate over the Waqf Act amendments touches upon a larger conversation about land rights, religious autonomy, and the state’s role in managing community affairs. For the BJP, the move appears to be part of a larger narrative promoting “uniform justice” and dismantling what it calls “institutionalized favoritism.”

However, for many in the Muslim community and the opposition, the amendments are seen as another step toward eroding religious freedoms and targeting minority institutions under the guise of reform.

As the Lok Sabha elections approach in 2026, both sides are likely to continue using the Waqf debate to mobilize their support bases—one citing transparency and rule of law, and the other defending religious rights and institutional independence.

Conclusion

Minister Rijiju’s comments in Kochi attempt to shift the narrative away from allegations of communal targeting and toward a discourse of legal correction and fairness. Whether the message resonates with the broader public remains to be seen, but the controversy around the Waqf Act amendments has already become a flashpoint in the larger political and cultural battles playing out across India.