Waqf Amendment Bill : The Lok Sabha has passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following intense debate. The bill secured 288 votes in favor, while 232 members opposed it. All amendments proposed by the opposition were rejected through a voice vote. The Bill to be discussed in Rajya Sabha today.
Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju tabled the bill in the Lower House on Wednesday amid protests from opposition parties. He later thanked members for participating in the discussion and clarified that the legislation is not against Islam but is solely aimed at improving the administration and management of waqf properties in India.
The bill seeks to strengthen the functioning of Waqf Boards by addressing shortcomings in the existing law. Rijiju reiterated that the bill does not interfere with Muslim religious practices and is not intended to confiscate anyone’s property. He emphasized that the government’s objective is to make Waqf Boards more inclusive and transparent.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in support of the bill, accused the opposition of spreading misinformation. He explained that waqf refers to voluntary donations for religious charity and can only be declared on personal property, not government land. He assured that no non-Muslim would be appointed to Waqf Boards.
Shah criticized the Congress-led government for amending the Waqf Act in 2013, alleging that prime land in Lutyens’ Delhi was granted as waqf property for political appeasement before the 2014 elections. He claimed the opposition was attempting to instill fear among minorities for electoral gains.
In addition to passing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Lok Sabha also approved the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, which annuls the Mussalman Wakf Act of 1923. Despite fierce protests from the opposition, the government defended the bill as a crucial reform for better governance of waqf properties.
