NEW DELHI: Ahead of the launch of ‘UMEED’ Central Portal that will start the process of building a fresh database of all waqf properties, minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju has stressed that the portal in no way violates the law or the Constitution.The minister was reacting to questions regarding All India Muslim Personal Law Board’s statement that it will challenge the legal validity of the portal in Supreme Court where Waqf Amendment Act 2025 is under scrutiny owing to petitions filed against its provisions.Speaking on the sidelines of a programme to mark World Environment Day at the Central Waqf Council in Saket on Thursday, Rijiju pointed out that there was no stay on the law, with the portal being the first crucial step for improving waqf management in India.“The country runs on the basis of the law and the Constitution, not on the basis of what they (AIMPLB) say. Those opposing the law are doing so due to political reasons or because they are unaware of its purpose. They will eventually regret their stance and come round when they see positive outcomes,” he said.“After the launch of the portal all waqf properties across the country will be registered on this centralised platform. I am going to appeal to state govts and state waqf boards to register and upload details of properties as a first step towards proper management. We want that the over 9 lakh waqf properties are managed and used properly. Accountability, efficiency and transparency are the core principles defining the process,” he added.Significantly, only waqf properties, including those in the ‘waqf by user’ category, existing prior to Waqf Amendment Act 2025’s coming into force on April 8 that are registered with state waqf boards as per norms laid out in the 1995 Act will be able to upload their information on the Central Portal. The officials at the ministry of minority affairs said asserting that this will help weed out the possibility of bogus entries into the database.For existing waqf properties, the status has to be uploaded within six months of the portal’s launch. For new properties seeking waqf status, the process laid out under the new law will apply.For uploading details on the portal, the mutawalli (caretaker) will serve as the ‘maker’, entering property details, including registration document details. A Waqf Board official will function as the ‘checker’, reviewing and validating entries. Finally, a designated ‘govt authority’ will act as the ‘approver’, ensuring full verification before records are finalised.
