India has formally rejected claims made by the United Nations special rapporteur on minority issues, calling his report on the Waqf Amendment Act 2025 “factually incorrect” and reflecting perceived hostility toward the country.
Gaurav Kumar Thakur, counsellor at India’s UN Mission in Geneva, said the assertions made by Nicolas Levrat lacked proper understanding of the law’s history and objectives. Speaking during a session of the Human Rights Council, Thakur highlighted that Levrat’s comments misrepresented the intent of the legislation and were based on selective interactions with organisations promoting “misleading narratives.”
Levrat, a professor of European and International Law at the University of Geneva, had claimed in his report that the Waqf Amendment Act infringes on the ability of Muslim communities to own and operate places of worship. Thakur countered that the law is designed to ensure transparency, promote gender equality, and strengthen administrative oversight of Waqf institutions.
The amendment, he explained, empowers minority Muslim sects such as Bohras and Agakhanis to safeguard their community interests by establishing and managing their own worship spaces. It mandates representation from different Muslim sects in State Waqf Boards and requires the inclusion of at least two women on the Central Waqf Council and State Boards. Female inheritance rights are also protected under the law.
Thakur emphasised that India remains committed to the protection of ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities, asserting that the country’s democratic framework and Constitution guarantee fundamental rights for all citizens. He added that minorities have the right to administer educational institutions and choose the medium of instruction, reinforcing the pluralistic ethos of the nation.
Addressing the Council, Thakur criticised the sources consulted by Levrat, including the Indian American Muslim Council in New York, suggesting that their agenda focuses on projecting a false narrative about India’s governance and societal structure. He reiterated that the government’s approach ensures equitable representation and upholds rights within minority communities.
The Indian delegation underscored that the Waqf Amendment Act is progressive and inclusive, aiming to strengthen the administration of charitable endowments, ensure female participation in governance, and protect the rights of diverse sects. India reaffirmed its commitment to empowering minorities while maintaining transparency, accountability, and gender-sensitive governance within Waqf institutions.
While the special rapporteurs act in personal capacity, Thakur’s remarks stressed that their conclusions should not be interpreted as reflecting the Council’s official position. India called for careful consideration of factual accuracy and legal context before issuing assessments on domestic legislation impacting minority communities.
