Letters from hundreds of Muslim widows prompted WAQF reforms, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Hisar, Haryana, revealed that the Centre’s decision to reform the management of waqf properties was driven by letters from hundreds of Muslim widows. These women, he said, raised serious concerns over the misuse of waqf assets that were originally meant for the welfare of the poor, but had allegedly fallen into the hands of land mafias.

PM Modi linked the poor handling of waqf properties to the socio-economic struggles faced by young Muslims. “Had the waqf properties been managed honestly, young Muslim men wouldn't have been forced to fix bicycle punctures to survive,” he remarked, adding that the government had to intervene only after the issue was brought to light by the community itself.

This announcement follows the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which came into effect on April 8 after receiving the President’s assent. The amendment is expected to prevent misuse of waqf lands and provide protection to the rightful owners, especially among backward and underrepresented Muslim groups like the Pasmanda and tribal communities.

Modi also criticized past governments, accusing them of allowing waqf property exploitation for decades. “These assets, instead of benefiting poor Muslims, were being used to feed the land mafia,” he said. The Prime Minister emphasized that the reforms were necessary not just for communal harmony, but also to uphold the dignity and rights of the underprivileged.

Addressing the timing of his remarks, Modi tied the announcement to Ambedkar Jayanti, a day symbolizing the fight for equality and justice. He inaugurated the Maharaja Agrasen Airport and launched the first flight to Ayodhya from Hisar, linking the event to broader themes of infrastructure and empowerment.

He also took sharp digs at the Congress, questioning its sincerity towards Muslim welfare. “Why has Congress never appointed a Muslim as party president?” he asked, branding them as “vote bank hungry” and accusing them of sabotaging the Constitution that Dr B.R. Ambedkar envisioned.