April 2, 2024
American Hindus welcome the passage of the Waqf Repeal Bill with optimism and relief, viewing it as a long-overdue step toward legal equality and land justice in India.
We observe that Hindu temples have historically endured oppressive state control, while Waqf boards have operated with unchecked privileges. This bill signifies a crucial correction of historical and legal imbalances. It brings India closer to a genuinely secular framework—where no religious institution is beyond scrutiny, and no community enjoys unaccountable privileges. American Hindus also believe this bill may foster a broader discussion about liberating Hindu temples from state interference, reinforcing their belief in equal treatment under the law as a universal democratic principle.
The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) has once again issued a statement aimed at inflaming communal sentiments and presenting India’s legislative reforms through a communal lens. Their latest article, “Waqf Bill a Dangerous Step Toward Dispossessing Indian Muslims,” is riddled with half-truths, historical erasure, and a one-sided narrative that does a disservice to India’s complex socio-legal realities.
Let us clarify what the Waqf Repeal Bill 2025 indeed aims to achieve. Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at reforming the administration and management of Waqf properties in India. Historically, This law granted extra-constitutional privileges to one religious community, allowing Waqf Boards to function as de facto land authorities. Under the current framework, land designated as Waqf cannot be sold, transferred, or questioned, creating a land monopoly with minimal transparency and accountability.
This legal anomaly is not a millennia-old Islamic tradition but a colonial construct. The British codified Waqf laws to manipulate religious leaders and maintain control over Muslim populations. The irony is rich: while the colonial and later secular state took over Hindu temples, Waqf properties were institutionalized and given autonomous powers. If India is truly to uphold the principle of equality before the law, then reforms of all religious land holdings, including Waqf, must be pursued.
The viewpoint of opponents, including the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), that this bill is anti-Muslim collapses under scrutiny. This same organization never protests the state takeover of Hindu temples, which continues across many Indian states. Hindu devotees face taxation, their donations are siphoned off, and their temple lands are auctioned — all in the name of secularism. Where is IAMC’s concern for the religious freedom of Hindus?
The core principle of Hindutva, as envisioned by its key thinkers, is not about majoritarian dominance; instead, it focuses on restoring civilizational dignity and ensuring equal rights for all citizens. The Waqf Repeal Bill is a step in that direction. It stipulates that no community may operate outside the country’s legal framework — be it concerning land, inheritance, or governance.
It is also essential to debunk the myth of persecution. Muslim citizens in India continue to practice their religion freely, operate thousands of mosques and madrassas, and participate in political and social life. The idea that a legal reform to improve transparency and land regulation amounts to “dispossession” is fearmongering, not fact.
Moreover, many Waqf Boards have faced allegations of corruption, illegal encroachments, and even collusion with land mafias. The 2011 Sachar Committee Report — frequently cited by Muslim advocacy groups —acknowledged the mismanagement within Waqf Boards and called for enhanced regulation. The repeal or, at the very least, comprehensive reform of this Act is long overdue.
Absolutely. Here’s a strong paragraph detailing examples of discriminatory and unreasonable Waqf Board land claims that have negatively impacted Hindus, Christians, and even state institutions:
Across India, Waqf Boards have made land claims that are not only legally dubious but outrageously discriminatory, often targeting non-Muslim communities and public infrastructure.
A notable example occurred in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli district, where the Waqf Board asserted ownership over the village of Thiruchendurai, which includes the 1,500-year-old Sundareswarar Temple. This claim emerged when a local farmer attempted to sell his land but was informed that it required a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Waqf Board, as the land was purportedly under its jurisdiction. Villagers were taken aback, especially considering the temple’s pre-Islamic origins and the absence of historical records indicating Muslim ownership in the area.
Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has claimed ownership of the Peyalwar Temple in Chennai, asserting that the temple is situated on Waqf property. This claim has been met with resistance from the Hindu community, who question the legitimacy of such assertions over ancient religious sites.
In 2021, a Waqf Board in Karnataka claimed ownership over 29 acres of land that included government offices, Hindu temples, and Christian churches, triggering widespread outrage. In another case in Madhya Pradesh, the Waqf Board claimed land occupied by a 150-year-old Christian missionary school despite no documentary evidence. Perhaps most absurdly, in Delhi, Waqf officials reportedly attempted to classify a railway station and surrounding public land as Waqf property—essentially trying to seize central infrastructure under religious pretext. These cases highlight the extraordinary and unchecked powers Waqf Boards have wielded for decades, often overriding the rights of Hindu and Christian citizens and undermining the legal principles of equality, property rights, and due process. The Waqf Repeal Bill seeks to end this discriminatory regime and restore the sanctity of law for all communities.
India is a secular republic, but that does not mean appeasement of any community. It means equal law, equal rights, and equal responsibilities. The IAMC’s consistent anti-Hindu, anti-India rhetoric is not new. It has made common cause with Islamist groups, Khalistani elements, and organizations that push the narrative of Hindu nationalism as fascism, ignoring India’s pluralist roots and constitutional values.
Reforming the Waqf system is not anti-Muslim; it is pro-equality. It advocates for a single legal framework in which no religious community has veto power over land rights. This initiative promotes national integration rather than religious division.
Moreover, the “one nation, one law” principle cannot be selectively applied. It is unsustainable for a nation to have separate legal frameworks based on religious identity, especially in critical areas like land governance. Uniformity in these matters is not a sign of authoritarianism but a hallmark of modern democratic systems. Just as Hindu temples must be freed from excessive government interference, religious trusts across all communities — including Waqf — must adhere to the same standards of transparency, accountability, and public benefit.
This report was generated by SamyaTattwa. SamyaTattwa is part of the AHAD AI suite of products, an initiative of HinduPACT, powered by technology provided by Tattwa.ai.
