SDPI Demands Streamlined Tribunals and Portal Strengthening to Save Waqf Properties

As the six month deadline for uploading Waqf property details to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development portal ended on December 6, the Social Democratic Party of India expresses strong concern over the unprecedented difficulties faced by the Muslim community in meeting the requirements of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. I, Yasmin Farooqui, National General Secretary of SDPI, urge the Central Government and state Waqf Tribunals to show maximum leniency so that no Waqf asset is excluded because of technical or administrative failures.

The Act required geo tagging and digital registration of nearly eight point seven lakh Waqf properties across the country within six months. These properties, spread over more than nine lakh acres, are central to the community’s welfare. Yet continuous technical failures, server crashes and delays in obtaining historical documents made timely submission nearly impossible. Across India only five point one seven lakh uploads were initiated and only two point one seven lakh were approved. In Rajasthan, with more than thirty thousand properties spread over five lakh acres, the final days saw frantic work as staff struggled against repeated outages.

The Supreme Court decision of December 1 refusing a blanket extension pushed affected caretakers to seek case by case relief from state Tribunals, which are already overloaded. The three month penalty waiver announced by the Union Minority Affairs Minister offers some relief by allowing delayed submissions without immediate fines, but it does not resolve the systemic obstacles. It also increases pressure on Tribunals and raises the risk that unverified assets may eventually face government takeovers.

SDPI considers the situation a fresh blow to minority rights. We had opposed the Act at the time of its passage, warning that it undermines community autonomy. The Sachar Committee had noted the enormous social potential of Waqf properties, yet encroachments continue due to administrative failures, not community fault. We call on the government to streamline Tribunal procedures, strengthen the portal infrastructure and review the Act to protect charitable assets that support the most vulnerable.

The community has complied in good faith despite severe challenges. It is now the duty of the state to respond with justice rather than punishment. SDPI will continue to defend Waqf assets through all legal and democratic avenues.

Yasmin Farooqui
National General Secretary
Social Democratic Party of India