BJP Minority leader praises new Waqf Amendment Act

New Delhi, Jul 05: Jamal Siddiqui, National President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minority Front, has welcomed the enactment of the Waqf Amendment Act 2025, which came into effect on Saturday following the government’s official notification. Siddiqui said the new legislation will significantly benefit the Muslim community by ensuring better management and protection of Waqf properties.In a statement issued here, the BJP minority leader said that the Act’s implementation will facilitate rapid benefits for the community through corrective measures and judicial monitoring, ultimately safeguarding community interests. “The Modi government’s focus on transparency and accountability will transform the utilisation of Waqf land and funds into genuine developmental benefits,” he said.Siddiqui said the legislation aims to promote transparency through digitisation, mandating the registration of all Waqf properties on a central portal within six months. “This move is expected to prevent wrongful entries, curb corruption, and create a comprehensive database that will make it easier to locate and retrieve stolen or illegally occupied properties,” he said.He also highlighted the Act’s provisions to protect women’s rights, allowing female heirs to claim their rightful share in Waqf properties before declaration, thus securing their interests. The legislation, he said, will also eliminate illegal Waqf practices by abolishing the traditional ‘Waqf by user’ concept, recognising only formally declared Waqf.The BJP leader further said that once properties are registered online, it will be nearly impossible for illegal possession to continue, and the proper use of Waqf assets for community welfare will be accelerated. “The transparent database will help identify and curb illegal Mutawallis, ensuring fair rent fixation based on market values and increasing accountability within Waqf committees,” he said.Siddiqui concluded by affirming that these reforms will enhance transparency, reduce dishonesty, and make it easier to recover stolen properties, ultimately strengthening the community’s trust in Waqf management.