ABVP hails govt for Waqf Amendment Bill

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) extended strong support to the Waqf Amendment Bill – 2025, terming it a “historic and much-needed reform” to bring transparency, fairness and inclusivity in the management of Waqf properties across the country.

The student body praised the government for passing the Bill through both Houses of Parliament and said it would help resolve long-pending disputes and ensure that Waqf assets are managed more credibly.

The ABVP highlighted that the Bill mandates online registration of all Waqf properties within six months and empowers the government to audit and monitor them, thereby curbing misuse. It also restricts Waqf claims strictly to properties received via donations and requires proper documentation and surveys to validate ownership.

A major reform in the legislation is the inclusion of non-Muslims and women in Waqf Councils, which the ABVP said, would introduce diversity and impartiality in decision-making.

“This will help end the idea of parallel authority and ensure all communities are represented fairly,” the organisation said in a statement.

The Bill also makes provisions for challenging decisions of the Waqf Tribunal in the High Court, enhancing judicial transparency and strengthening individual rights in property-related disputes. It ensures that government land falsely claimed as Waqf will be verified by senior officials and restored to state records if found invalid.

Calling the Bill a significant milestone, ABVP’s national general secretary Virendra Solanki said: “This reform is vital for the country’s balanced development. It corrects many of the shortcomings of the older law and promotes fairness by eliminating religious and sect-based discrimination. Citizens must study this amendment to understand its fact-based constitutional approach.”

The ABVP described the Bill as a “strong step towards judicial reform” and commended the government for addressing longstanding concerns through a democratic and inclusive process.

Delhi