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Waqf debate spans law, politics, freedoms, rights and regulation

The waqf system in India has historically played a crucial role in supporting religious, educational and social welfare institutions.

Updated on: Apr 3, 2025, 10:18:53 IST

By Utkarsh Anand

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The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed a comprehensive amendment to the Waqf Act, bringing about fundamental changes in the governance, management and legal status of waqf properties in India. The proposed amendments seek to introduce stricter regulations on property dedication to waqf, remove the controversial “waqf by user” provision for future cases, authorise senior government officials to survey and investigate waqf properties, and introduce non-Muslim representation in waqf boards.

India News

While the government has justified these changes as necessary to

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

...Read MoreUtkarsh 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. Read Less

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