The law requires that even non-Muslims be allowed to sit on waqf boards. Waqf can be roughly translated to "gift to God", and in India often refers to donated properties that cannot be sold. They do not make up a larger part of India's real estate, but include historic mosques and other popular activities.
Both Muslims and other opposition groups claim that this is yet another way to weaken minority rights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is recognized as Hindu nationalist, and has received extensive criticism for how Muslims and other vulnerable groups are treated.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi calls the law discriminatory, and warns that "this is targeting Muslims today, but sets a precedent for striking against other groups later".
Muslims are India's poorest minority, and make up 14 percent of the population. Since the country has 1.4 billion inhabitants, it means that the Muslims alone are roughly as many as the combined population of the UK, France, and Spain.
