Highlights: Lok Sabha clears Waqf Amendment Bill after marathon debate
Parliament Budget Session updates: The government has decided to table the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha today. Catch all the updates here
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The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, with the aim of addressing long-standing challenges in the regulation and management of waqf properties. | File Photo
Following a marathon debate, The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by the Lok Sabha early on Thursday (April 3).
It was tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday (April 2), with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) issuing whips to their Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure full attendance in the House.
The Bill was introduced for consideration and passing after the Question Hour. The legislation seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, with the aim of addressing long-standing challenges in the regulation and management of waqf properties. Key proposed changes include renaming the Act, updating the definition of waqf, streamlining the registration process, and incorporating technology to improve the maintenance of waqf records, add provisions for the inclusion of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards. The Waqf Act, 1995, has faced sustained criticism for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachment of waqf properties. The amendment aims to strengthen the efficiency and accountability of waqf boards in India. This has led to strong opposition from several Muslim organisations.
The Bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and later referred to the JPC in August 2024. The 44 amendments proposed by Opposition MPs were junked by the Jagdambika Pal-led panel and the JPC adopted the report.
Notably, a waqf is a religious or charitable endowment, primarily in the form of property, donated by Muslims. Many of these contributions are made without formal documentation. The revenue generated from waqf properties is typically used to support mosques, cemeteries, madrasas, and orphanages.
Once a property is declared as waqf, it cannot be sold or transferred. According to reports, waqf boards across the country oversee approximately 8.72 lakh properties, covering more than 9.4 lakh acres of land.
12:51 AM
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed in Lok Sabha with 288 votes
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, receiving 288 votes.
Here’s the breakdown of the votes polled:
Ayes: 288
Noes: 232
The House then moved to hold voice votes for various specific amendments.
12:43 AM
Voting on Waqf (Amendment) Bill underway as debate concludes
Voting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is underway. The Opposition has asked for division of votes.
12:16 AM
If it was unconstitutional, why didn't the court strike it down, Kiren Rijiju counters
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed gratitude to all leaders for sharing their views on the Waqf Amendment Bill. Addressing concerns raised by some members, Rijiju questioned the claims that the Bill was unconstitutional.
11:48 PM
Kiren Rijiju replies to debate on Waqf (Amendment) Bill
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that allegations of the Bill being “unconstitutional” has been raised by the opposition, but they have not been able to give any reason behind it. “If it was unconstitutional, then why did no court strike it down.”
11:35 PM
Fadnavis needles Sena (UBT) on Waqf bill: 'Will see if they follow Bal Thackeray or Rahul Gandhi'
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday tried to corner Shiv Sena (UBT) on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that people will soon know whether Uddhav Thackeray's party upholds Bal Thackeray's Hindu ideology or follows Rahul Gandhi.
10:58 PM
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind says Waqf Bill paves way for legislative discrimination against Muslims
Muslim organisation Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) on Wednesday slammed the Waqf Bill as "highly condemnable" and alleged that it paves the way for legislative discrimination against Muslims.
10:43 PM
Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a weapon aimed at marginalising Muslims: Rahul Gandhi
10:25 PM
Sections of Muslim community celebrate Waqf Bill introduction
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill sparked mixed reactions in Bhopal on Wednesday, with sections of the Muslim community welcoming it and thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while others, including Congress MLA Arif Masood, opposing the bill.
10:09 PM
AIMPLB objections have not been taken into consideration: Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali
Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali told ANI, "AIMPLB has filed many objections regarding the proposed amendments. Unfortunately, in today's speech of the Minority Affairs Minister, none of the objections filed by the Muslim community have been taken into consideration..."
9:54 PM
BJP now targeting minorities properties through Bill, says Congress chief
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, in a post on X, wrote, “The Modi Government’s Waqf (Amendment) Bill is blatantly unconstitutional, undermining the Right to Freedom of Religion and attempting to bring personal laws under state control."
9:41 PM
Waqf bill has nothing to do with religion, deals only with properties: Shah
9:26 PM
Shah says no interference in Muslims' religious matters as Oppn slams Waqf bill as unconstitutional
The ruling NDA on Wednesday launched a feisty defence of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha amid the opposition's charge that it was unconstitutional and targeted Muslims, as Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the government had no intention of interfering in their religious matters and was solely driven by the aim of transparent administration of Waqf properties.
9:06 PM
Waqf Amendment Bill will benefit poor Muslim families: Manjinder Singh Sirsa
9:01 PM
Waqf is being corrected so that it is available for all Indians: Rajyavardhan Rathore
8:51 PM
Waqf Board was judiciary, legislature, executive all rolled in one: Tejasvi Surya
The concept of Section 40 - Waqf by User and Oral Waqf was a potent cocktail that enabled the Waqf Board to usurp any land that it wished. Those who had a problem with this were forced to go before the Waqf Tribunal.
Topics : Waqf Board Lok Sabha Parliament Budget session
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First Published: Apr 02 2025 | 9:11 AM IST
