Parliament Highlights: Waqf Bill not against Muslims, don't want to hurt sentiments, says Rijiju

Parliament news updates: Catch all the latest news developments here

11:38 PM

Turmoil in JD(U) over Waqf issue, party says those claiming to resign not part of rank and file

At least two 'persons' in Bihar on Thursday announced their "resignation" from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), voicing dissatisfaction with the party's support to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill brought by Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

10:51 PM

Rajasthan Muslim outfits condemn community leaders supporting Waqf bill

Several Muslim outfits in Rajasthan have called upon people to "maintain distance" from the leaders who supported the Waqf (Amendment) bill 2025. The bill has been backed by a khadim at Ajmer Dargah, Salman Chishti, founder of the Chishty Foundation, along with Syed Nasiruddin, the son of Ajmer Dargah Deewan.

10:12 PM

Waqf (Amendment) Bill is an 'interference' in minority affairs: SGPC

The SGPC, an apex gurdwara body, on Thursday said the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed in the Lok Sabha, was a "direct interference" by the Centre in minority-related matters.

9:54 PM

Congress' Sharmila calls Andhra CM 'traitor of Muslims' over Waqf Bill support

Andhra Pradesh Congress Chief Y S Sharmila Reddy on Thursday accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of being a "traitor" of Muslims for his TDP's support of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha.

9:44 PM

BJP brings laws to "divide" people: Alka Lamba

Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba on Thursday said the BJP government has introduced various bills to "divide" people on religious lines, but the opposition party will continue its fight against such politics.

9:34 PM

BJD's Muzibulla Khan opposes Waqf bill in Rajya Sabha; no whip issued by party

Muzibulla Khan of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday opposed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha, saying the entire Muslim community was worried about it. However, his party leader in Rajya Sabha Sasmit Patra said the party has allowed its members to vote on their conscience and has not issued any whip.

9:22 PM

Waqf Bill: Bold and unapologetic reclaiming of civilisational roots, says Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday described the amendment to the Waqf Act, along with several other measures taken earlier, as a "bold and unapologetic reclaiming of civilisational roots." It also powerfully demonstrated Union Home Minister Amit Shah's courage and resolute determination of a New India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sarma posted on 'X'.

9:12 PM

Treat all religions equally, prevent India from shifting towards totalitarian state: SP's Ram Gopal Yadav

All religions must be treated with respect and the government must prevent India from shifting towards a totalitarian state, Samajwadi Party's (SP) Ram Gopal Yadav said in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

8:55 PM

Rijiju attacks senior member for creating confusion, not staying back to listen to reply on debate

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday attacked senior Rajya Sabha members for for creating confusion and raising issues in the House but not staying back to listen to the replies of ministers concerned.

8:35 PM

Waqf Bill passage in LS step towards upholding property rights of Munambam people: Rajeev

The passage of the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill by the Lok Sabha was welcomed by BJP's Kerala unit president Rajeev Chandrasekhar who on Thursday termed it as a step towards upholding the right of property for all citizens, including those of Munambam.

8:23 PM

US Senators Grassley and Cantwell introduce Bill requiring Congressional approval for new tariffs

8:17 PM

BJD calls on party MPs to vote as per conscience

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had previously declared its opposition to the controversial Bill, has encouraged its party leaders to vote according to their conscience. The party opted not to issue a whip, allowing legislators to make their own decision during the voting process.

8:05 PM

AJSU terms Waqf (Amendment) Bill 'historic move'

AJSU party chief Sudesh Mahto on Thursday supported the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and termed it a "historic move". He said his party's MP supported the Bill in the Lok Sabha and also offered a suggestion to improve it. "The party MP (Chandra Prakash Choudhary) gave his support to the bill on Wednesday and also made a suggestion, which was to include the participation of the poor and women of the community in it," Mahto said, addressing media persons on the sidelines of a divisional-level workshop to strengthen the party, which is a part of the NDA.

7:56 PM

Content & Intent of Waqf Amendment bill has question mark: Manoj Jha

The content and intent of the Waqf amendment bill puts a question mark on the government, said RJD Member Manoj Jha in Rajya Sabha, asking it to not hurry with the bill and send it to the select committee of Parliament once again.

7:28 PM

Take back Waqf Bill, actor-politician Vijay tells BJP-led Centre

Actor-politician Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam chief Vijay on Thursday dubbed the Waqf bill passed by the Lok Sabha "anti-democratic" and demanded that it be taken back and if this demand was not met, his party would join forces with Muslims in their "Waqf rights legal struggle." 

7:10 PM

AIMIM leader Jaleel slams Waqf Bill, asks 'will they take me on Shirdi or Tirupati temple trusts'

Former MP and AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel on Thursday alleged the government wants to hand over land to big industrialists by amending the existing Waqf Act and sought to know if non-Muslims will be appointed to trusts managing major temples.

7:00 PM

Narendra Modi government brought Muslim women into the mainstream by banning triple talaq: Nadda

6:19 PM

Congress made Muslim women as second rate citizens in India: Nadda in Rajya Sabha

6:08 PM

Waqf Bill assault on Constitution, will fight it on every forum: CPI(M)

Calling the Waqf (Amendment) Bill an assault on the Constitution, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said on Thursday that her party will use all available fora to fight against it. Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the 24th party congress here, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader reiterated the party's strong opposition to the Bill.

5:29 PM

Government is eyeing Waqf land, may turn to temple trust properties next: Uddhav

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday claimed that the Union government has its eye on the land of the Waqf boards, and it may turn its attention to the land of temples, churches and gurudwaras next.

4:24 PM

Waqf Bill was brought in haste: Congress leader Ajay Rai

Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai accused the government of acting "arbitrarily and misleading the public". "The Waqf Bill was brought in haste. The government has done whatever it wanted without listening to the opposition. They made promises to mislead the people, but none of them have been fulfilled," Rai asserted.

4:05 PM

BJP brought Waqf (Amendment) Bill to divide country: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

When BJP-led regime is ousted and new govt formed, will bring amendment to nullify Waqf Bill, says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. 

3:21 PM

Other religions also have councils, endowments: Congress MP

Congress MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain stated that there are endowments, Hindu religious places acts, councils for Christians and other bodies for all religions. 

2:05 PM

Amended Waqf Bill will ensure rights of women are protected: Kiren Rijiju

Waqf Bill will benefit crores of poor Muslims, prevent misuse of Waqf properties, Rijiju asserted during the discussion in the Rajya Sabha.

1:50 PM

Waqf board will have representation from all sects of Muslims: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju

"Out of a total of 22 members in the proposed Central Waqf Board, no more than four will be non-Muslims.  In State Waqf Boards, of 11 members, not more than three will be non-Muslim," Kiren Rijiju said in the Rajya Sabha today.

1:33 PM

Waqf board will only oversee, not manage, Waqf properties, says Kiren Rijiju

"We don't want to hurt anyone's religious feeling," minority affairs minister Rijiju stated in the Rajya Sabha. 

1:28 PM

Union minister Kiren Rijiju rejects Opposition's charge that Waqf Bill is against Muslims

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated that the Waqf Bill aims to accomplish unfulfilled tasks of previous govts and sought the Opposition's support in passing the Bill. 

1:11 PM

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju tables Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha

The Bill was passed through a division of votes in the Lok Sabha, with 288 members supporting and 232 opposing

1:01 PM

`Concern' shown by BJP about Muslims would put Muhammad Ali Jinnah to shame: Uddhav Thackeray

PM Modi should have told country about impending danger of US tariffs and steps being taken to mitigate it, Uddhav Thackeray stated today.

12:55 PM

BJP will never bring any Bill in favour of Muslims: Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi

"Those who have not done a single work in favour of Muslim after forming government are looking for temples beneath the mosques. Such people can never bring any bill in favour of Muslims. They want to grab the land. They can never work in favour of Muslims," Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi stated.