A $14 Billion Grab? The Waqf Bill Enabling the Seizure of Muslim Endowments in India

Despite a national campaign launched by Indian Muslims on March 24, 2025, against a new law aimed at seizing Muslim endowments, both chambers of parliament approved it on April 3, 2025.

The law paves the way for the confiscation of thousands of Islamic endowments, valued at $14 billion, with their historical significance considered priceless.

Muslim leaders argue that the real target is not the endowments themselves, but their deep ties to India’s Islamic identity and history, which the ruling party seeks to erase as part of its goal to transform India into a “pure Hindu state.”

The Waqf Bill will allow the ruling Hindu nationalist party, Bharatiya Janata, to take control of these endowments and Islamic sites, providing further justification for its ongoing campaign to attack historic mosques, which Hindus claim were built over destroyed temples.

The amended law also allows non-Muslims to be added to the boards overseeing endowment lands and gives the government greater authority to verify land ownership.

This is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader effort to implement an extremist Hindu ideology that targets Muslim property, religious sites, and identity, aiming to turn India into a Hindu-only state.

In 2023, the government announced plans to seize 123 such endowments, including the Parliament Street Mosque, used by Muslim lawmakers since 1947, which the Hindu government covets, along with other properties.

After losing his parliamentary majority, Modi referred the Waqf Bill (DMK) to a joint parliamentary committee in August 2024. However, the law announced on March 8, 2025, aims to give the Hindu government control over thousands of Islamic endowments and sites, appointing Hindus and non-Muslims to the boards, essentially transforming them into state property.

Under the law, the government will seize thousands of endowment assets, including land, mosques, and buildings, and revoke the “Islamic endowment” designation from many historical sites, paving the way for their seizure and demolition.

On April 3, 2025, the Lok Sabha (Lower House) approved the bill with 288 votes in favor and 232 against, marking the crucial step for its passage. The following day, the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) passed it with 128 votes in favor and 95 opposed. This sparked widespread political reactions, with the law being labeled “anti-Muslim” and “unconstitutional.”

For the law to take effect, it must be presented to President Droupadi Murmu for approval—a step expected to pass as well.

Muslims and critics of the law see it as a new front in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s ongoing efforts to seize Muslim rights in India. Since taking office in 2014, Modi has granted fast-track citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from neighboring countries, stripped Muslim-majority Kashmir of its autonomy, and promised to abolish Muslim family law.

In January 2024, Modi inaugurated a new Hindu temple in Ayodhya, on the site of an old mosque destroyed by Hindu nationalists in 1992.

Famous Landmarks

The new “Modi Law” aims to seize all endowments, including mosques and historical monuments, under the pretext of lacking building permits or the government’s need to use some of these historic Islamic buildings.

The Modi government seeks to take control of the Parliament Street Mosque in Delhi and the high-end, 27-storey mansion, home to Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest person—both of which are among the most famous endowments.

The mosque, built in the Mughal style, has been an Islamic place of worship for nearly 300 years. It includes Ambani’s mansion, classified as “a model for future buildings,” and is part of the ongoing dispute over endowment properties in India.

The law will allow the government to seize thousands of endowment properties it has already partially or fully occupied, and revoke the “user-endowment” classification of many old sites that lack documentary evidence of their status.

What’s even more concerning is that this law could target national Islamic landmarks like the Taj Mahal.

In 2005, the Supreme Court blocked the process of registering the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, as an endowment property.

Ironically, the court asked to see the emperor’s (long-deceased) signature on the property deed.

The Archaeological Survey of India, which controls the monument, claims that 256 other properties under its management are endowment properties, further complicating its efforts to justify this grab of Muslim endowments.

Size of the Endowment

The Islamic endowment properties in India, which include lands or buildings donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes, are estimated at around 872,000 properties worth $14.22 billion. These endowments date back centuries and are used for mosques, religious institutions, cemeteries, and orphanages.

The properties are managed by semi-official boards, one for each state and union territory. The new law mandates the appointment of non-Muslims to these boards, whereas, currently, the boards are made up solely of Muslims.

With over $14 billion in assets, these endowment boards are now considered the third-largest landowners in India, after the military and railways, as per The Print in 2023. Uttar Pradesh alone holds over 232,000 properties, more than any other state, while endowment properties in Delhi are also claimed by various government agencies despite being part of the endowments.

The government argues that the new Waqf Bill “improves outdated legislation that allowed widespread violations in managing endowment properties.” Prime Minister Modi defended the law, claiming that the Congress Party previously gave too much autonomy to the endowment boards to “appease” Muslim voters, thereby politicizing and religiously dividing the matter.

The Hindu-nationalist government's passage of this law prompted two senior Muslim leaders from the secular Janata Dal (United) party, allied with the ruling party, to resign. They criticized their party's support for the law, describing it as a breach of trust among Indian Muslims who saw Janata Dal (United) as a defender of secular values and religious freedom.

One of them was Mohammed Qasim Ansari. In a strongly worded resignation letter, he expressed deep disappointment, writing: “With due respect, I would like to state that millions of Indian Muslims like me had unwavering faith that you were a true flagbearer of secular ideology. However, that belief has now been shattered.”

He added that the JD(U)’s support for the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2024 had left many Indian Muslims and party loyalists feeling betrayed. 

“The stance taken by the JD(U) regarding the Waqf [Amendment] Act 2024 has deeply hurt millions of dedicated Indian Muslims and party workers like us. We are extremely disheartened by the way Shri Lalan Singh presented his statement in the Lok Sabha and supported this bill with such conviction.”

Ansari described the legislation as not only an attack on Indian Muslims but also as a breach of constitutional rights. He also pointed out its discriminatory impact on Pasmanda Muslims—something, he claimed, the JD(U) leadership had failed to acknowledge.

“The Waqf Bill is against Indian Muslims. Under no circumstances can we accept it. This bill violates several fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Through this legislation, Indian Muslims are being humiliated and disgraced. Additionally, this bill is also anti-Pasmanda Muslims—something neither you nor your party seem to realize,” he wrote.

What’s Behind the Law?

The opposition Congress Party and others have condemned the law as “a massive land grab,” part of Modi's broader campaign to promote Hindu nationalism. Muslim parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi said the law has nothing to do with protecting endowment properties or increasing their revenues, but is instead aimed at seizing Muslim-owned properties and imposing greater government control over them.

The law’s critics fear it will lead to the destruction and seizure of many endowment properties. Though acknowledging the need for reform, Muslim leaders argue that this law unfairly targets Islamic endowments and imposes burdens that do not affect “Hindu” or other religious endowments. They assert the law was passed without proper consultation with Muslim community leaders.

This move follows an ongoing campaign against Muslim mosques, religious schools, cemeteries, and charitable lands, enabling the government to seize whatever it wants. The revised law expands the central government’s control over Islamic endowment properties, with critics labeling it a tool to marginalize Muslims and strip them of their personal and property rights.

Unconstitutional

Opposition parties unanimously rejected the law, with most describing the proposal as “unconstitutional.”

The Indian National Congress, the country’s main opposition party, opposed the bill, asserting that it is unconstitutional and discriminatory against Muslims. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated in the Senate that "this law is bad for both Muslims and the country’s constitution.

One of the most controversial amendments involves appointing non-Muslims to key positions in endowment boards, a move that has been widely criticized.

Former Congress President and prominent leader Rahul Gandhi described the Waqf Bill amendment on X as a weapon aimed at marginalizing Muslims and seizing their private property rights. He described the actions as an attack on the Constitution by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Bharatiya Janata Party, and their allies. While it targets Muslims today, it sets a precedent for attacking other communities in the future.

“The Congress party strongly opposes this legislation as it attacks the very idea of India and violates Article 25, the Right to Freedom of Religion.”

The amendments to the law aim to grant the government broader powers in managing endowment properties, including lands or buildings donated by Muslims for religious, charitable, or educational purposes.

Their use or sale for other purposes is prohibited, but many were donated verbally, making it easier for the government to seize them.

Under the new law, endowment boards are required to provide official legal documents proving ownership of these properties during the surveying process; otherwise, ownership may transfer to the government.

The new law also allows the government to reclaim state-owned lands that were previously designated for endowments and expands the federal government's powers in registering and auditing these properties.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju attempted to dismiss concerns that the 2025 amended Waqf Bill would harm Muslim interests. He emphasized that non-Muslims cannot interfere in the affairs of the Waqf Board, as both its administration and beneficiaries will be exclusively Muslim—even though the law allows for the appointment of non-Muslims.

Responding to claims that the bill is unconstitutional or infringes on rights, Rijiju stated, “I categorically reject all these allegations. Any Muslim who wishes to manage their property through a trust can do so without restrictions.”

He also argued that the Waqf Board operates in a manner similar to a Charity Commissioner, overseeing the proper management of waqf properties. “The bill ensures accountability, transparency, and capacity building within the Waqf Board,” he added.

In a final attempt to block the passing and implementation of the law, the Indian National Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam parties decided to challenge it before the Supreme Court, arguing that it violates the country’s Constitution and religious freedom.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh described the Waqf Bill (Amendment) as unconstitutional, claiming it undermines democratic values and the principles and practices enshrined in India's Constitution.

Several opposition parties, including the Indian Muslim League, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal, and leftist parties, raised serious concerns about the law and called for its withdrawal.

Indian newspapers, including South First on April 5, 2025, criticized the law, stating that it was wrong to consider the Waqf Bill an Islamic issue only, as it affects all of India. The law would gradually apply this exception, overturning India’s core principles.

“Anything that affects 14.2% of India [there has been no Census in 14 years, so these are old figures] matters to all of India.”

The newspaper stressed that the marginalization of Muslims – evident in the changing of their names, cultural marginalization, and political exclusion – significantly contributes to making India appear as a sacred land inhabited only by Hindus, not Muslims, Christians, or communists, who see it quite differently.