Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on April 4 alleged that there is a “mess somewhere” in the Wafq Board and it needs improvement. He refused to comment whether the Waqf Bill will usher in a change or not.
Sharing his experience as a former minister in charge of the Waqf Ministry in Uttar Pradesh, Khan told reporters here, “I had been in the Uttar Pradesh Waqf Ministry for some time. I saw nothing except litigations… In 1980, the Muslim Women’s Protection Act was passed… it said that if there was no one to look after a divorced woman, then she would be given an allowance from the Waqf Board. After two years, I asked in Parliament about the provision the Waqf Board made and how much money was granted as an allowance to divorced women… After two years, the answer was that any Waqf Board had made no provision, even for a single penny… ”
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan who is on a tour of Uttar Pradesh also pointed out to the condition of the Waqf Board despite having “so many properties”.
“The condition of the Waqf Board is that it has so many properties, and they have no money to pay salaries. So where is this money going? It means there is a mess somewhere, and it needs improvement. I don’t know if there is going to be any change or not, but changes are needed…”, Khan said, stressing the need for some reforms in the Waqf Board.
The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 after a marathon and heated debate. During this debate, members of the INDIA bloc fiercely opposed the legislation, while the BJP and its allies strongly supported it, saying it would bring transparency and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards. The House sat beyond midnight to pass the legislation.
Speaker Om Birla later announced the division’s result. “Subject to correction, Ayes 288, Noes 232. The majority is in favour of the proposal,” he said.
The government introduced the revised bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
It aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records. (ANI)
