India Rejects UN Expert’s Criticism of Waqf Amendment Act, Calls Report ‘Factually Incorrect’
UNITED NATIONS — India has rejected a report by a United Nations special rapporteur on minority issues, calling it “factually incorrect” and accusing the expert of displaying “hostility” toward the country.
Gaurav Kumar Thakur, a counsellor at India’s UN Mission in Geneva, dismissed the assertions made by Nicolas Levrat regarding the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 during a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday.
His assertions are “factually incorrect and based on a poor grasp of its background and history,” Thakur said. “The tone and content of his comments reflect a clear perceived hostility towards India.”
UN special rapporteurs are independent experts who report on issues in their personal capacities. While they are affiliated with the Human Rights Council, their views do not necessarily reflect those of the UN body.
Levrat, a professor of European and International Law at the University of Geneva, said in his report that the Waqf Amendment Act “infringes the capacity of Muslim communities to own and operate places of worship.”
India strongly disputed that characterization, with Thakur describing the law as a “progressive” measure aimed at promoting transparency, gender equality, and more effective administration of waqf properties.
He said the legislation empowers minority Muslim sects, including Bohras and Agakhanis, by enshrining their “right to preserve the interests of their own community by establishing their own worship places.”
Thakur also alleged that Levrat’s conclusions were influenced by groups with political motives.
“Comments appear to rely on interaction with certain organisations whose only agenda is to peddle fake narratives and tarnish India’s pluralistic ethos for their own political ends,” he said.
In his report, Levrat noted that he had consulted the Indian American Muslim Council in New York as part of his review.
Reaffirming India’s position, Thakur said the country remains committed to protecting minority rights.
“India is firmly committed to empowering ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and to nurturing our nation’s pluralistic character,” he said.
“Our democratic ethos and Constitution guarantee fundamental rights to all its citizens.”
He added that the Constitution provides specific protections for minorities and allows them to establish and administer educational institutions, including choosing their preferred language of instruction.
According to Indian officials, the Waqf Amendment Act also includes provisions aimed at improving representation and advancing women’s rights. These include requirements for at least two Muslim women to serve on the Central Waqf Council and State Waqf Boards, as well as measures to ensure female inheritance rights and broader representation of various Muslim sects in governing bodies. (Source: IANS)
