Proposed amendments to Waqf Act: New era or a brewing political storm
The concept of waqf is rooted in Islamic tradition and is seen as an act of piety for Muslims to perpetuate their charitable activities beyond their lifetime
The central government’s decision to introduce a bill amending the 1995 Waqf Act in the Lok Sabha this week underlines a significant shift towards more centralised control and oversight of waqf institutions in India even as the issue has triggered a fresh debate over the religious rights of Muslims.
Waqf refers to a charitable endowment where an individual dedicates property for religious or philanthropic purposes. (HT PHOTO/Representative)
The draft legislation, proposed to be renamed the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 2024, is touted by the government as a comprehensive overhaul aimed at improving the administration
Utkarsh Anand is the National Legal Editor at Hindustan Times, where he leads the newspaper's coverage of the Supreme Court, constitutional law, the judiciary and the Union law ministry. He joined Hindustan Times in 2020 after stints at Press Trust of India (PTI), The Indian Express and CNN-News18, and has over two decades of experience reporting on law, governance and public policy. His work has focussed on some of India's most consequential constitutional and legal developments, including the Supreme Court's judgments on Article 370, marriage equality, decriminalisation of homosexuality, the Babri Masjid dispute, electoral reforms and judicial appointments. He specialises in making complex legal proceedings and judgments accessible to readers while examining their wider social and political impact. Beyond daily reportage, Utkarsh has led investigative projects and enterprise reporting that have shaped public debate and prompted institutional responses. His work has received several journalism awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. As National Legal Editor, he has also played a key role in expanding Hindustan Times' legal journalism footprint, mentoring reporters and strengthening coverage across platforms. A Chevening South Asia Journalism Programme Fellow, Utkarsh regularly writes analyses on the judiciary and constitutional issues, and his reporting is widely followed by lawyers, judges, policymakers, academics and readers seeking clarity on India's evolving legal landscape.
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