Waqf Act 2025: A Reform Derailed by Perception

Hinduinfopedia
Apr 22, 2025
2 min read

Visualizing the unrest: This graphic captures the tension between legislative reform and public perception surrounding the Waqf Act, spotlighting unheard Hindu voices amid political polarization.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vuC-hDXBuc

Introduction

The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, aimed to fix waqf mismanagement but sparked protests that deepened Bharat’s communal divides. In this fifth piece of our Waqf Act series, we explore how the legislative process, despite thorough consultations, fueled mistrust. Hindu silence and media imbalances turned a governance reform into a communal flashpoint.

Background

The 1995 and 2013 Waqf Act amendments gave boards unchecked powers, leading to encroachments in states like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu (Sachar Committee, 2006). The 2025 amendment sought transparency through digitization and accountability. The JPC held 34 sittings, engaging 284 stakeholders and over one crore citizens (Reveal Inside, September 28, 2024). However, excluding Hindu groups like Hindu Mahasabha sparked perceptions of bias.

A Process Under Scrutiny

The JPC’s consultations spanned cities like Bengaluru and Chennai, with plans for Assam and Bihar (The Hindu, November 7, 2024). JPC member Aparajita Sarangi emphasized inclusivity, noting “every stakeholder was heard” (DD News, January 27, 2025). Yet, the six-month timeline, shorter than UPA-era norms, drew criticism. Opposition claims of anti-Muslim intent ignored Christian support in Kerala (Kerala Kaumudi, October 10, 2024). The lack of Hindu group involvement left the process incomplete, fueling mistrust.

Hindu Silence in the Storm

Muslim protests dominated headlines, but Hindu grievances were ignored. In Tripura’s Unakoti (2.26% Muslim), waqf claims sparked clashes, yet Hindu groups stayed silent (India Today, April 3, 2025). In Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli, 1,200 acres of Hindu land faced disputes, with no RSS or VHP response (The New Indian Express, October 15, 2024). This silence left the narrative skewed, deepening communal tensions.

Media’s Role in Misrepresentation

Media coverage amplified protests, sidelining the Act’s anti-corruption intent. National dailies focused on opposition rhetoric, while Hindu and Christian voices in Alipurduar and Kerala were underreported. This imbalance framed the Act as communal, not corrective, fueling mistrust (Times of India, April 13, 2025).

Conclusion

The Waqf (Amendment) Act’s passage shows how perception can derail reform. Despite robust consultations, Hindu exclusion and media gaps deepened divides. Bharat needs inclusive dialogue to ensure reforms unite its people.