India passes controversial Islamic endowment law

The Indian parliament has approved a contentious bill amending laws governing Islamic land endowments (waqf), following extended debates in both houses.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government secured passage with support from allied parties despite lacking a majority in the lower house.

The legislation, which passed with 288-232 votes in the lower house and 128-95 in the upper house after marathon sessions lasting into early morning hours, will now go to President Droupadi Murmu for final approval.

The amendments will place non-Muslims on Islamic endowment management boards and expand government authority in verifying waqf assets. While the government argues these changes will address corruption and mismanagement issues, opposition parties led by Congress have condemned the bill as unconstitutional and discriminatory against India’s Muslim minority.

Critics express concern that the new provisions could potentially facilitate the confiscation of historic mosques and other Islamic properties across India.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​