North India Statesman
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News India Live, Digital Desk: The Central Government is going to launch the hope portal (integrated Waqf management, empowerment, efficiency and development) on 6 June, which is a major step towards streamlining the registration of Waqf properties. All such properties should be registered within a period of six months, if not done, they can be considered disputed and can be sent to the tribunal.
According to the updated guidelines, women owned properties cannot be declared Waqf, while Waqf properties are expected to be primary beneficiaries from women, children and economically disadvantaged groups. Detailed description of each property for registration, including dimensions and geo-tag location, will be required. The responsibility of maintaining the registration process is the responsibility of the concerned state Waqf boards.
The initiative has been taken after the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was approved by Draupadi Murmu on 5 April after intensive discussion by both houses of Parliament. This amendment amends the 1995 basic Waqf Act to strengthen the administration and accountability of religious settlements and assets dedicated to charitable or religious reasons under Islamic law.
However, the revised law has attracted legal investigation. Several petitions challenging the amendment have been filed in the Supreme Court, in which the petitioners have alleged that the new provisions allow the state to “occupy” Waqf properties through executive machinery without judicial monitoring. They argue that amendments violate the religious rights of Muslims and interfere in Islamic practices and property management.
Center defends law
In response, the Center defended the law, stating that it does not violate constitutional security and urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions. During the hearing on 17 April, after the government assured that it would temporarily stop some provisions, the court opted not to stop the implementation of the law. Recently, on 27 May, the Supreme Court directed the Center and other concerned parties to file their reactions on the ongoing challenges against the amended Act.
