'Misconceptions': Amit Shah clears air over issue raised by ally JD(U) on Waqf Bill

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday addressed concerns raised by ally JD(U) regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Shah said that the legislation will not have a retrospective effect and accused the opposition of misleading the Muslim community.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Shah rejected claims that the bill was designed to interfere in religious matters. "One more misconception is being spread, that this is coming with a retrospective effect. Speak with responsibility when you speak in this House. The Bill clearly states that the law will come into effect after the notification is issued by the government when the Bill is passed. So, there is no retrospective effect. But Muslims are being scared," he said.
His remarks were aimed at countering concerns raised by Nitish Kumar's JD(U), which had urged the government not to implement the bill retrospectively. JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha had said that Nitish Kumar has worked for the welfare of Muslims in Bihar for nearly two decades and expected the Centre to consider their reservations. Party leader Rajeev Ranjan noted that a delegation of Muslims had conveyed their concerns to the Bihar chief minister, who ensured the party raised the issue in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Shah dismissed allegations that the bill seeks to appoint non-Muslims in religious affairs, clarifying that their role would be limited to administrative functions. "First of all, no non-Muslim would come into the Waqf. Understand this clearly. There is no such provision to include any non-Muslim among those who manage the religious institutions; we do not want to do this," he said. He added that non-Muslims would only be part of Waqf councils and boards to oversee the proper management of donated properties.
Shah further explained that the bill only amends provisions related to the Council and Board under the 1995 Act, focusing on improving administrative efficiency. He reiterated that the government is not seeking additional powers and that donations under Waqf law must be made from personal property, not government-owned assets.
Minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju also backed the bill, saying that it aims to ensure better management of Waqf properties, which are among the largest in the world. "When our country has the largest Waqf property in the world, why hasn't it been used for the education, medical treatment, skill development, and income generation of poor Muslims?" he questioned.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was introduced alongside the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, and had previously been scrutinised by a JPC led by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal. Shah accused opposition members of instilling fear for political gain, arguing that the bill seeks only to enhance governance of Waqf properties and not interfere in religious practices. "Vote bank is being created by intimidating minorities and confusion is being spread in the country," he said.